Drunk skippers cause nothing but problems

July 21st:

Hmm today was mostly just a busy blur; laundry, groceries, etc. We headed back out of the harbor around 4:30 so we could fuel up and that was it.

July 22nd:

Well this morning was interesting. I guess it was really late last night, but whatever. So we were anchored on our set and Jonathan and I were mending the net quickly when all of a sudden Andrew says that there is a boat on the rocks near us and saw a big black cloud of smoke come from the area. So we pulled the anchor and jumped over to the ship, which turned out to be one of our tenders, named the Nordic Viking. It was run up on a huge flat rock and the bow of the boat was nearly in the trees on the small island it hit. The engine room was flooded, and they had lost power onboard. The worst part however, was that the skipper was drunk when the boat crashed. I don’t know what it is with this year, but drunk skippers seem to be an issue. It hasn’t been like this before though.

So eventually we got the crew off the boat and onto another, while Andrew, myself and Peter (the buyer of our fish) tried to get the boat sorted out. We tried to contain the oil leaking into the water temporarily until the Coast Guard could contain it, and then we got off the boat ourselves. It was a crazy night.

The really annoying part though, is that the Coast Guard didn’t contain the spilled diesel, and now that particular fjord is closed because of it. It isn’t a huge spill, but it is enough to contaminate the fish in the area, because as soon as the bag of fish is brought to the surface they will be covered in diesel. So now more boats will be crammed into a smaller area, and we won’t be able to fish our spot.

Anyways, the fishing was routine for the most part, we caught a couple sharks, but that was the extent of the issues for the day. The fish slowed down a bit which was unfortunate, but we still did alright.

Total poundage for the day: 25000

Total poundage sold: 564000

-Jack

July 23rd:

Geez today was nasty. This summer, the weather on the sound has been really nice, with some sunny days but mostly overcast weather, which is good for fishing. As soon as we get in the general vicinity of Cordova though, the rain starts to come down. Of course, Jonathan and I got to be out in the elements mending the net, but we were able to procrastinate our way out of most of the work. We will have to finish it tomorrow though. Our poor net is so beat up at this point. With it snagging on the boat as well as dragging along the bottom when we set and the occasional shark, the poor thing is filled with holes. I claim it’s so holey that it’s the seine Jesus would’ve used. Aren’t I clever?

So after weaseling out of that task, we were free for the night and proceeded to gather up some friends and hit the town.

-Jack