Plot Synopsis

PORT PROTECTION is a one-hour reality series that follows a group of people living in the remote, fog-shrouded community of Port Protection, tucked into the northwest corner of Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, and surrounded by the freezing waters of the North Pacific. A small band of these extraordinary people push the limits of survival, living an isolated and risky life of self-reliance with no roads, no government and no cops. Facing rugged and unforgiving land and cold and stormy seas, the tight-knit community of less than 100 people must hunt, fish, trap, grow their own food and build their own shelter. But for this tiny village, the risk is worth the reward: a world with the security of community without the constraints of bureaucracy. Resourcefulness is key to survival in Port Protection, and for 56-year resident Sam that means making the most of what he's got. He sets out to elongate the wear of his boots using mink oil -- but first he must find and trap the minks. Gary heads to the shore to forage for sustenance, but extreme tides come only twice a month, so he must act quickly to find his dinner. Meanwhile, couple Hans and Timbi are determined to turn their property into a working farm, but recent injuries create a setback and they must rely on others in the community for help.

The sophomore season of PORT PROTECTION premiered on Monday, April 18, 2016 at 10pm ET/PT on Nat Geo. In the season opener, "Dark Days Coming," with winter almost upon them, the residents of Port Protection are busy using the remaining days of good weather and daylight to stock their freezers and complete crucial chores. Gary sails off on a moose-hunting excursion; Curly and his dog hunt ducks and geese; Hans and Timbi set their sights on halibut; and Amanda is finally settling down after buying a houseboat. But Mother Nature always has a way of surprising even the well-prepared, in this case in the form of a massive storm that looks to threaten all in its path.

After nearly a two-year break, the series returned for its fourth season, now titled LIFE BELOW ZERO: PORT PROTECTION, on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 9pm ET/PT on Nat Geo. This season features Gary Muehlberger (The Village Elder), Mary Miller (The City Girl), Curly Leach (The Lumberjack), Sam Carlson (The Engineer), Matt Carlson (The Prodigal Son), Stuart Andrews (The Captain), and David Squibb (The Minimalist).

PORT PROTECTION ALASKA returned for a new season on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 9pm ET/PT on Nat Geo.

The seventh season of the series, still titled PORT PROTECTION ALASKA, debuted on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 9pm ET/PT on National Geographic Channel. In the season opener, "The Dark Days Are Over," a long winter forever changes the paths of Port Protection's residents.
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On Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 9pm ET/PT, National Geographic Channel began airing extended versions of Season 7 episodes of PORT PROTECTION ALASKA.