Greetings Fishies!
I, like many of you am perplexed and concerned by those boats and people that are missing in action. We know that the Aleutian Ballad did not fish opies and after the king crab season headed south to Oregon to begin her tourism retro fit, so there is no chance of seeing her. The Early Dawn, like the AB was jettisoned almost from the very beginning. This is really a shame as you have been gypped of the chance to see some fine boats and crews. I can’t help but think that the reason the Maverick was dumped for opie season is because of Donna’s logs. She had the truth of their good season out there, and if the editors were going to continue along the trashing theme, it would show them (editors) for what they are.
Now I do admit to letting my attention wander during the show, but where is Ragnihld? Did she jump ship? Its looking like the FarWest Leader isn’t feeling the love here. Too bad again as it is a beautiful boat.
It was good to see and hear from some of the deck crews regarding vessel and fishing operations, even though it was few and far between. In the past it seemed that we got to know most of the guys, but this year that has not been the case. Instead we watch things such as the humiliation of Nathan on the TB. I suppose there was plenty of time for them to find the charges as the TB was in port for the better part of two months. Its just that usually they get you in the Anchorage airport. The state police are there with a list and warrants in hand. Passenger manifests and purchasing their commercial fishing licenses is usually what tips them off.
The footage of some of the boats breakdowns and their problem solving was pretty good. Now I wonder how would these guys all be feeling about the IQ system if it were not in place? If it were still the days of the derby style fishery, they would be belly up. The seasons would have passed them by without a second thought. Those boats would have been stuck in port waiting for parts, repairmen etc, and not fishing. Remember, they don’t hold the season just because a boat or two can’t make it.
The TB is most fortunate to have a diver in Andy. Nothing sucks more than either trying to find a diver or waiting until one sobers up! I wondered a few things aloud while watching him. How many knives did he take down with him and how many did it take to get through that line? How many did he drop? Were they our favorite Victorinox? There are some boats that actually have spurs on their wheels to avoid what happened to the TB. Those spurs cut the line before it can wrap around the shaft and foul the works.
Stay tuned!
<’)))>{
2 comments:
IT IS TO BAD that we did not get to see more of the boats that were shown at the beginning. What happened to the Earl Dawn? Got to hear the Captain's son give a little family history about being fishermen and that was that! Guess they could not make the drama they were looking for out of them. As much as I was looking forward to seeing the AB, well, they got used chewed and spit out. Hope the best for them with the new venture, I am sure they will do fine. Poor Ragnihld, as much as I liked the boat, captain and crew. What were they thinking there! I really like Captain Keith of the Wizard and his crew. Not even DC could fake his emotions. I read Donna's logs too and found them very interesting. She gave a very good insight as to what the day to day operations can be like, even a little about having a domestic observer onboard. How did they sink? Well, I could not help but wonder in the back of my mind as I was reading them, that perhaps there was some violation of non competition agreement. I don't know? Maybe it was the constant adding in nearly every sentence the fact that you will be able to see it all on the new Maverick DVD part or something. Hey, don't get me wrong they are going to do just fine with their new venture too! Oh ya, and if anyone with half a brain and drawing air into their lungs really thinks it was Blake's fault that the Maverick got canned, well trust me on this one. No one is irreplaceable. ANDY IS A DIVER TOO!! Just why is it that something has to always go wrong before we find out about such great TALENT these people have. The IFQ part of it, and what would have really happened to some of these boats? Well, it's to bad but quite frankly most people (not all) reading your Blogs or watching the show have any real understanding of it AT ALL.
Still wishiniwasfishin.
Tourism can be a Godsend. Look at Ketchikan; what jobs were there when the paper mill shut down? But thanks to the cruise ships full of tourists, that town is doing pretty well for itself. I see the tv commercials down where I live now, beckoning the wealthy to come tour Alaska, and I see how much they are asking for fair. I sincerely hope the AB gets a good piece of that pie, for a fat, sugary pie it is indeed. I know it's not the same, but families need feeding and that industry is growing like a cancer. Like it or not, it's just good business :)
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