By Sheila Dassatt
As we face a New Year, we always hope for something more positive than the last year. Well, we can still try to move forward and try not to look back (too much)! We, as a fishing industry, have a lot to overcome: Whale rules, Wind Power, Working Waterfront availability, the Covid virus and basically just overcoming these things to simply survive.
There’s a lot of other issues that go along with these topics, that are just now coming to the surface. There has been quite a few new articles lately concerning our mental health through all of this. As I look at the state of affairs, the pandemic has created a lot of isolation. We are somewhat used to that in a way, some work alone on their boats, even though for safety, we really shouldn’t. But during the winter, each fisherman generally has a workshop and spends a lot of time mending gear and painting lobster buoys. One thing that keeps everyone going, is the CB and VHF radios that are installed in the shops, some even have little televisions to “watch the soaps.” Even though we’re not all on the water, we can still monitor those that are, in case someone needs help. It is still a safety issue and a great help for keeping in touch with each other.
One thing that I didn’t like about winter fishing in upper Penobscot Bay, is that there were only about three boats that were going out that year. We tried to stay in touch, so we would be out there on the same day. It is never a good idea to be the only boat out there, especially on those super cold days, anything can happen. It was so cold one day, I thought the water looked really calm that day, as we went a little further down the bay, I discovered that it was ice! There was one other boat out there that day, and the funny story about it was when they pushed the trap over the side, it stayed on the top of the surface until the ice broke through! I will never forget that day…We didn’t really build our hull to be an ice breaker! By the way, I took winter fishing off my bucket list.
Another story of survival was when we (the family) had been invited to a new boat launching on North Haven. It was Mike Brown’s new 32’ Holland, the Locomotion. It was a beautiful day for a launching and a gathering of friends and family. We set out for home with the Red Baron and discovered that the stern bearing came loose from the stern post and started taking water in very rapidly. I remember my brother, Glenn taking a rag and a screw driver and driving it in there and holding it with his hand. He kept it there, while Dad radioed for help. Dad headed her for Stonington, and lo and behold, we got an answer from one of those home base radios! It was “Nemo”, who called forward to Billings Diesel and told them that we were coming in, with the current situation that we were in. Roger Dunham met us there and immediately put her in the straps and hauled her up with the travel lift. We were so relieved and happy that we were heard. It turned out to be a nice visit in Stonington, Harlan Billings loaned us a truck to use while we were there, got the Baron fixed and took her home. All was well that went well.
So being in the shop with these radios on is not such a bad idea, and it helps in more ways than one. I suppose the shop radios can also be a cure for isolation from the pandemic. There’s always ways to get around these situations and keep our sanity.
So what did we do for entertainment during that time, to help us with our mental health? In many workshops or kitchens, the guitars, banjos and other instruments came out. I remember as a child, the Hutchinson Family had such fun gatherings on Saturday nights. Seems that I remember a saxophone, too. In more recent times, Steve Robbins, Jr. had what they called “Church” in his workshop. A lot of folks showed up with their instrument and either played a tune together or took a turn at singing a song. The joy was that the door was open and it was a welcoming gathering for those that were passing by.
Steve passed away last year, which seemed to be the end of that era. He is greatly missed, but they have had a gathering at the Stonington ball field, in his honor and a lot of great music once again. I hope that in time, we can do this once again. Music is always a great healing tool and an inspiration to all. Let’s talk to his Little Brother, Brian.
So as we enter this New Year of 2022, let’s continue to support each other with the issues that we are facing, but let’s do it all in a way of helping each other along our paths. We do not want the outside world out there to think or see that we are bickering among ourselves, which is exactly how we are portrayed, even if it isn’t as it appears. There is no one more helpful in my lifetime, than the help that fellow fishermen and their families have given to us over the years. We do not want our way of life to disappear in time. Let’s restore our livelihoods before we are just a memory in the lives of our next generations to come. Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!
