TLDR: Sam Carlson is a self-taught inventor, commercial fisherman and trapper known as The Engineer on Port Protection Alaska. He has lived in the town for more than 50 years and reportedly recovered from a heart scare in late 2022. Checked October 23, 2026.
Sam Carlson is one of the original seven characters of Port Protection Alaska and one of the few still living in town. Neighbors call him The Engineer.
A Self-Taught Inventor
NatGeo’s bio, as Reality Blurred summarizes it, says he has fished, trapped, built a compound and raised a family. Republic World adds that he is resourceful and enjoys reading about quantum physics.
Distractify says he has lived in Port Protection for more than 50 years, while another site says he has lived there all his life.
Storylines on Screen
TheTVDB says that in “The Widow Maker,” a 2015 episode, Sam leads a fire drill. In “Legends in the Woods” he hunts a Sitka black-tailed deer with an old partner, and in “Tiny Terrors” he makes octopus pots.
In the 2017 special “Ocean’s Bounty,” he and Stuart Andrews build shrimp pots from discarded materials.
In season 6’s “Sink House” he fishes with his sons, and in “Treasure and Hunters” he goes on a treasure dive with Troy.
In season 7’s “The Beaver Trap” he and David Squibb install solar panels, and in season 8 he appears in most episodes, including a halibut trip with Squibb in “We Can Do Hard Things.”
His Sons Matt and Kelly
NatGeo’s bio called Matt the prodigal son, who left, returned with his partner and daughter and now fishes, hunts and works locally. Distractify reports that Matt worked as a captain for Baranof Fishing Excursions in Ketchikan and returned to Port Protection after he and his fiancée split.
Sam’s son Kelly is a musician who performs as Kelly Carcinogen. He is married to Celeste Mora Carlson.
His Wife
Sam’s wife lives with him in town but does not appear on camera, and she has not been named publicly. Distractify notes that some websites wrongly identify his daughter-in-law as his wife.
The 2022 Health Scare
Around December 30, 2022, fans in the show’s Facebook group wrote that Sam was in trouble. One said he was airlifted, which nobody confirmed, and another said he had a mild heart attack.
Matt reportedly indicated that his father was doing well, and Distractify later said he made a full recovery. Reports differ on whether the scare happened in late December 2022 or January 2023.
After the Cancellation
Producer Mickey Ramos interviewed Sam for her Alaska-Vibes channel in 2025. A fan-run site says he was still based in Port Protection in 2026.
For the rest of the cast, see our Port Protection cast guide, and for the town’s other loss, Gary Muehlberger.
Sam Carlson Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Sam Carlson called The Engineer?
He is a self-taught inventor known in town for building and fixing things.
Is Sam Carlson still in Port Protection?
Reports through 2025 and 2026 say he still lives there.
Did Sam Carlson have a heart attack?
Fans reported a mild heart attack around the end of 2022, and Distractify later said he made a full recovery.
