'Deadliest Catch' Capt. Undergoes 12 Hr. Surgery

Phil Harris -- the captain of the F/V Cornelia Marie on "Deadliest Catch" -- underwent a 12-hour emergency surgery last night ... and was put in a medically induced coma.

Harris suffered a stroke on Friday and was rushed to the hospital. According to a source close to the family, doctors put Harris in a coma to reduce brain swelling after the surgery.

We're told his sons Jake and Josh -- who are both deckhands on the F/V Cornelia Marie -- plan to speak with doctors today. The F/V Cornelia Marie is currently back out at sea -- minus Harris and his two sons.

Harris was off-loading his boat when the stroke hit and he was immediately airlifted to an Anchorage hospital -- where a Discovery rep says Harris "is resting comfortably and is in the care of excellent doctors and nurses."