Lobster Fishing
I’m normally not around at the start or end of the season but due to an unfortunate event I was able to capture the launching of the vessel. I decided to capture lobster fishing just for the storybook adventure. But to be clear all images are from a land based position because I would be unable to capture images aboard as my face would be emptying overboard most of the trip and as you can imagine therefore difficult to capture images. Also as you will see in subsequent images there would be little room for me. That’s the main reason for me being unable to join the crew and I’m firmly sticking to that position.
Final inspection of the vessel, captain and crew.
This trailer is specially designed for transport of large vessels. There in fact have been situations here the upper portion/mast have been dramatically altered by overpasses. Notice the large upper wheels are on hydraulic arms and how very low the trailer lies on the ground.
The tailer must be position carefully.
Of course the captain and long haul trailer dude had to chew the fat for a while. I was freezing with a fairly heavy jacked and these hardened lads could care less for the weather.
The bow guide looks a bit warn and used.
The hydraulic wheels have been placed in the lower position to allow the vessel to move into position.
The vessel is still held in position on the ground through gravity and it’s supports while only the front end, bow, is lifted/slid gently on trailor.
I never saw it before but there is a hole all the way through the bow beam where the placed a steel rod and attached the tow line.
Apparently the trucker goes through a number of these cables each year because the weight causes them to stretch dramatically. I was told they get a lot thinner, a fact I was unwilling to verify. The wheels are now raised in readiness to carry the vessel weight.
All ready for transport.
Transport involved a short 200 meters to the shore.
I don’t know if the beach was prepared especially or just selected but I do know it’s been used for years. Low or high tide was not a concern.
The Captain and one crew boarded before lift off.
Back a fair distance into water.
Disconnect the tow line.
CThe most interesting to me and very undramatic was the launch. The trucker fronted back out of the water. Then quickly backed back down into the water giving the vessel some of it’s own momentum then quickly brake to simply and unceremoniously slip the vessel quietly into the water.
Then off to the dock for final preparations for tomorrow’s fishing. Notice the Port Felix fog. The area is noted for the rapid comings and goings of fog. I had to pack up and drive down the coast a ways to the dock to capture images of the return.
Final inspection to verify repairs sustained themselves.
The I’m a light sleeper so it’s easier for me to know when to rise early. We cottage with one of the crew so hearing him rise is a single for me to get my body moving.
Yes they do start early.
Of course I have no idea of their return, so I wait.
And wait. Notice the lovely clear with gentle clouds, just glorious. By the way I pointed out the lovely weather for a reason.
There they are for the final pots.
Coming around to the side of the dock. If you look at my website at the aerial photos you can see better the many islands off the coast.
Gently rounding for the dock.
If you look closely you see crates and big boxes every one filled with lobster. This haul was so large the lobsters are stacked in the corner.
The Captain operates the winch hauling crates up and over to the waiting truck. They weight and record each crate.
The lobsters are picked individually and moved to crate, no sorting or selecting. Small lobsters have already been measured and thrown back while at sea.
My brother-in-law, Captain, caught me trying to get a good headshot, I didn’t get a good one serious and working. So hard with moving subjects since I’m mainly a landscape guy.
They notice a unique lobster, tiger coloured in instead of the usual red.
Remember me mentioning the fog, here it comes.
Fully loaded and the truck moves on.
Bait preparation for tomorrow.
Cleaning for tomorrow. Can you imagine the smell if this step was skipped?
Hope you enjoyed my story book. Maybe someday when it’s very, very, very calm, I’ll get some sea shots. Don’t hold your breath.