Most of the memorable journeys I’ve made have been on land. But one trip out into the deep blue ocean will stay with me for a long, long time.
I went shrimp fishing for 5 days on board a 70 foot longliner called the Atlantic Charger. The captain, Brad Watkins, and his four crew members were happy to have a TV crew along for an inside look at how the fishery works. We were shooting a documentary for CBC's Land & Sea.
There was talk of gravol pills and all kinds of tricks to avoid the inevitable sea sickness the men assumed would strike us landlubbers soon after we had pulled away from the wharf. No sir, not a sign of any illness. We proved to be worthy sea dogs and enjoyed the whole experience from start to finish. The voyage gave me a new appreciation for how fishermen earn their living.
Now, these fellas aren’t exactly roughing it on board the Atlantic Charger. It’s about as comfortable a ride as you can get on the wide open waves. Brad’s vessel is valued at 2.2 million dollars and it’s tricked out with all the bells and whistles. The Charger has cutting edge technology, including a double shrimp trawl, the only one like it in Newfoundland and Labrador. Seeing it all in action, first hand, was a thrill.
How are your sea legs? Watch our documentary, Fishing for a Future, and see if fishing is the life for you.
Bon voyage!
Enjoy some photos from our trip in the gallery.
Rove on,
Jane