Miss-Givings

Linda Greenlaw expresses misgivings about the integrity of seafarers in her title "All Fishermen are Liars." While there is a certain amount of truth to this statement, it is an arguable point. It is advantangeous for fishermen to be discrete on some level so as not to reveal all of their secret weapons, but I don't believe that they're inherently dishonest.

On the other hand, there are some matters in the world fishing about which it is healthy to be apprehensive. Call me old-fashioned, but when it comes to technology, I can't help but be dubious. Perhaps it's the simple fact that I know nothing about the inner workings of boats and computers that leads me distrust them so. But these misgivings don't go unfounded.

Cap and I have been delayed from hauling traps for over a month now due to technical difficulties. See the computer that acts as a plotter on board hasn't been up to par. We are literally at the mercy of the computer repairman, which is never a good thing. Luckily we have plenty of work to keep us occupied building traps in the meantime. But building traps isn't what brings in the dough.

Just yesterday, a local fisherman was "s*** outa luck" when his engine failed him. Clear out of the blue, she started to clank and hammer so that the captain had the good sense to shut her off and drift. Cap gave him a tow into the Harbor. It's not gonna be a cheap repair job either.

In fact, it's a wonder that I'm in this world at all. Luckily love prevailed over my mother's short fuse when it came to my father's boat troubles during their courtship. A failed engine was near the end of any preconceived notions of baby Katherine! I guess a life at sea puts us to the test in more ways than simply challenging physical hardiness. Mother Ocean teaches us to be on our guard all the time and never be too trusting or confident. Some miss-givings are warranted.