Rough Weather Days

We've embarked from port. There was word of rough weather north around the fishing grounds, but reports came back that it wasn't too bad. So we headed out. This boat is 125 feet long. The other two boats I was aboard during B Season (September - November) were 160 and 180 feet long. I witnessed 55 knot winds coupled with 40 foot swells, yet last night's weather tossed this little catcher vessel much more violently than anything I felt during B season. Laying in my rack, I could feel the hull of the boat quiver with impact. It would resonate from the hull to the rest of the boat like a tuning fork struck on a counter top. Awoken by violent vibrations and then levitated in my rack after climbing the next swell, which ends with another thundering crash. This isn't continuous and never ending, it's here and there. It comes blind because there is no view of the seas in the galley and in the rack. There is no bracing for it. It's just assumed that its around the corner. One Hand for the Boat. A mantra put to memory and forced into your intuition after only swing that yields to you slipping and hitting something on the boat causing you to look Green.

So for the first time, we're hiding today from the weather that is to hit our area tonight. Once it passes, we'll get back to catching fish. Honestly, I'm just grateful to be out at sea and not sitting on the dock. Whether We're fishing well or not, the disposition of the fishermen noticeably gung-ho. The sooner we start fishing, the sooner we're done. The sooner they go home to see their wives and kids.

2/10

We are done fishing now, and I'm back at port. The longest part of my job is monitoring the offload of the catch at the cannery. This offload should run close to 18 hours. It's not a completely straight 18 hours. I do have some breaks built in, but it is very monotonous and I come close to falling asleep while standing up sometimes. I may have a couple of days after the offload in town to catch up on some emails and news that happened over the past week while I was gone. I have some other work I have to do while I'm in town though that always seems to take up more time than necessary. I'm hoping for a clear morning, and a friend to be in town, and try to concur some of these hills that surround the docks, and bays. This island is so beautiful when the sun is out.

It looks as if I may only head out for one more fishing trip before my cruise has to come to an end. I need to be back in Spokane in time for the glorious celebration that will be the Pyle wedding. Afterward, I will try and head right back up here to Alaska for another, longer contract. I could even be sent into the Pacific off the coast of Oregon and Washington fishing for Hake. We'll see. New water, new fishery, new ports . . .

Thank you for all the comments from those people that have started following the blog who happened upon it randomly. I am humbled that you find anything I have to say interesting or the least bit captivating. I greatly appreciate your emails and comments. It's very surprising every time to me to read a note left from someone I have never met who has become interested with what it is I do. If you have any questions about the blog, my job, or anything else, feel free to send me an email, or comment. I will get back to you when I get to port.

- Casey