The CURSE of Wicked Tuna? As Charlie Griffin becomes the THIRD star to die in devastating accident, FEMAIL lifts the lid on the tragedies and scandals to plague the cast of the adrenaline-packed show

Multiple stars from National Geographic's Wicked Tuna have passed away from horrific accidents over the years, raising the question: is the cast of the fishing competition cursed?

The latest to fall victim is Captain Charlie 'Griff' Griffin, who died in a gruesome boating accident this week.

Griff's shock death left fans of the reality show devastated, but it's certainly not the first time that the series has been embroiled in tragedy or scandal.

The show, which premiered in 2012, follows teams of fishermen as they go head to head to see who can catch the most Atlantic bluefin tuna.

Multiple stars from National Geographic's Wicked Tuna have passed away from horrific accidents over the years, raising the question: is the cast of the fishing competition cursed? 

The latest to fall victim is Charlie 'Griff' Griffin (seen), who died in a boating accident this week. Amid his death, see every other misfortune that has befallen the participants of the show

It's immensely popular and is currently gearing up for the release of its 13th season, while its spinoff, entitled Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks, is preparing for its ninth season.

But the franchise has endured numerous blows over the last decade, thanks to the many untimely deaths of its cast members.

One passed away from a gruesome car accident just months after he became a father, while another died suddenly at age 28 - and his cause of death still remains a mystery.

In addition, one of the stars became shrouded in scandal when it was revealed in 2015 that he had been indicted on federal fraud charges for false claiming he was disabled - which was brought to light when he appeared on the show.

Between the numerous deaths and the criminal cast member, there's no denying that the simple fishing show has had its fair share of controversies.

As another star passes away, FEMAIL rounded up every other misfortune that has befallen the participants of the reality series.

Shock death: Charlie 'Griff' Griffin passed away in a horrific boating accident this week during a trip down one of the most difficult waterways on the East Coast

The US Coast Guard confirmed that Griff had died in a horrific boating accident on Monday, along with his dog, Leila 

The US Coast Guard confirmed that Griff had died in a horrific boating accident on Monday, along with his dog, Leila.

The tragic incident took place near Pea Island in Dare County, North Carolina - on what some have hailed as one of the most difficult waterways on the East Coast. 

The tragic incident took place near Pea Island in Dare County, North Carolina. Charlie and his crew starred in seasons two through five of Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks 

'On the morning of March 4, the US Coast Guard received a report of an overdue vessel traveling from Virginia to Wanchese, North Carolina,' a statement read. 

'The 35-foot vessel was subsequently located off Pea Island and the body of [Griff] and his dog (deceased) were recovered onshore near the same.

'The vessel appears to have capsized somewhere near Oregon Inlet.' 

Fierce currents and extreme weather conditions have made the Oregon inlet extremely treacherous.

The last communication with the boat was on Sunday around 6:15 pm and the boat was near Nags Head at the time, a spokesperson told 13News Now.

Officers are still searching for a second occupant that was aboard the vessel, but it is not known who the other person is.

Charlie and his crew starred in seasons two through five of Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks.

Another untimely passing: William 'Willbilly' Hathaway died at age 36 back in 2018 when he got into a tragic car crash - just three months after becoming a dad

In December 2018, it was revealed that William 'Willbilly' Hathaway had passed away at age 36 in a car crash

Willbilly was a crew member of captain Dale Lisi's boat Foolish Pleasures, which appeared on Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks from seasons three to five. He's seen with his wife and daughter 

In December 2018, it was revealed that William 'Willbilly' Hathaway had passed away at age 36 in a car crash.

Willbilly was a crew member of captain Dale Lisi's boat Foolish Pleasures, which appeared on Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks from seasons three to five. 

The accident occurred in in Salisbury, Maryland, and according to reports, Willbilly was forced to swerve off of a remote countryside road after he was cut-off by another vehicle.

He landed in a ditch, and while his wife, Mary, told local papers that she spoke to him over the phone after the accident and that he said he was 'OK,' when an ambulance arrived soon after, he was found unconscious. 

Willbilly - who had welcomed his first child with Mary just three months before - was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead. 

'He was an exceptional human being whose passion was the sea,' read a fundraiser for his family afterwards. 'He always brightened the day of anyone he met.' 

A third tragic loss: Nicholas 'Duffy' Fudge died at age 28 in 2018, and his cause of death still remains a mystery - but it's rumored that he passed away from 'decompression sickness'

The cast of Wicked Tuna suffered from another untimely death just five months before that when Nicholas 'Duffy' Fudge passed away at the young age of 28 

The cast of Wicked Tuna suffered from another untimely death just five months before that when Nicholas 'Duffy' Fudge passed away at the young age of 28.

While his official cause of death was never released to the public, local fishermen told the New Hampshire Union Leader that they believed he had died of something known as 'decompression sickness.'

While his official cause of death was never released to the public, local fishermen told the New Hampshire Union Leader that they believed he had died of something known as 'decompression sickness'

According to the National Library of Medicine that the condition involves 'dissolved gases (commonly nitrogen) forming bubbles in the bloodstream and tissues,' causing 'rapid tissue decompression.'

It can occur during 'deep-sea diving, emerging from a caisson, flying in an unpressurized aircraft, and performing an extra-vehicular activity in space.'

Duffy was the first mate on Tyler McLaughlin's boat Pinwheel, which appeared on Wicked Tuna and Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks for multiple seasons.

His death came just days before season eight began filming, and Tyler ultimately dedicated his first catch to the late star.

According to his obituary: 'Nick was always the coolest kid, but he had a way of making you feel like you were just as cool. 

'His presence could light up any room and he had a heart of gold. He was known for his smile, his fearlessness, his adventurous spirit, his mischievous sense of humor, and giving big hugs.' 

Lifting a lid on the dangerous conditions: Dave Marciano once revealed that he and his crew were left fearing for their lives after their boat sank 20 miles from shore on a 'freezing cold' day

In February 2020, captain Dave Marciano spoke to DailyMail.com exclusively about some of the dangers he's faced while out at sea 

He revealed that he nearly lost his life once when his boat once sank 20 miles away from shore on a 'freezing cold' day 

In February 2020, captain Dave Marciano spoke to DailyMail.com exclusively about some of the dangers that he's faced while out at sea.

He revealed that he and his crew were left fearing for their lives when his boat once sank 20 miles away from shore on a 'freezing cold' day.

He shared: 'We notified the Coast Guard that we were going down, but luckily there was another fisherman in close proximity who picked us out of the water' 

Dave - who is the captain of the vessel Hard Merchandise and has been on the show for 10 seasons - recalled how they had to 'abandon ship' back in 2003, after his first boat started 'taking on water.'

'It was cold that day, freezing cold, and she sank 20 miles out at sea,' he said. 

'We notified the Coast Guard that we were going down, but luckily there was another fisherman in close proximity who picked us out of the water.'

He said he was able to survive the incident because he stayed so calm.

'We were smart about what we were doing, but we knew there was another boat out there,' explained Dave.

'Fishermen all look out for each other, it doesn’t matter if it’s your worst enemy. If you found yourself in that situation, you’d drop what you’re doing to help.'

Embroiled in scandal: Paul Hebert was indicted of federal fraud charges for reportedly falsely accepting more than $40,000 in disability - which was brought to light when he appeared on the show

Wicked Tuna cast member Paul Herbert was embroiled in scandal back in 2015, after he was indicted of federal fraud charges for falsely claiming disability 

At the time, it was reported that he had accepted $44,000 in Social Security and Medicaid benefits between 2010 and 2013 after he said he was unable to work.

But prosecutors said that Paul, who began appearing on Wicked Tuna during season two, was seen harpooning huge fish on the show, which proved he was 'capable of physical labor'

Wicked Tuna cast member Paul Herbert was embroiled in scandal back in 2015, after he was indicted of federal fraud charges for falsely claiming disability.

He plead guilty, and was sentenced to four years probation and fined $58,600 in fines and restitution.

At the time, it was said that he had accepted $44,000 in Social Security and Medicaid benefits between 2010 and 2013 after he said he was unable to work. 

But prosecutors claimed that Paul, who began appearing on Wicked Tuna during season two, was seen manning big fishing rods and harpooning huge fish on the show, which proved he was 'capable of arduous physical labor.' 

They also alleged that he had told the government he had no vehicle or assets, but that he actually owned a car and home, and was 'earning money through fishing and later through his television work.'

He plead guilty, and was sentenced to four years probation and fined $58,600 in fines and restitution.