Back to work

 

On the last day of my leave the winds died back and we had a chance to get a run out before tying up the boat for a month.

We have been having some strong westerly winds so this was a bonus opportunity.  

We were fishing for cod and collies and didn't expect to get mackerel this early in the year. The mackerel have been caught

late last month but ten miles east of the Coquet Island. It is a good sign they are moving in shore this early.

It is looking promising for my next leave and we can get the smoker going again!

 The mackerel were not the only arrivals the young eider ducks
have made there perilous journey from the nesting grounds on the Coquet they look like small corks following the female eider.

Off to work for a month

Weather window

 We have had a week of westerly winds and the sea has had quite a lift but it didn't deter us  from getting out  to see what was about. Yesterday evening there was a weather window and Virginia and I grabbed our gear and went out to see if we would be lucky with a few fish . As we headed North out of Amble harbour towards one of my fishing marks the gannets were diving into the water after the sand eels.When we got to the ground we had the marks already on the chart plotter and the fish finder was showing a good result

Within ten minutes we were catching cod and coal fish.

 It didn't take long to start to fill the bucket and then the wind  changed and we headed for home before it became uncomfortable. I get plenty of bad weather when at work so when on leave I look for fair seas to fish in.

When we got home and started to gut the fish they were full of sand eels and the undigested ones I frooze for bait. So from one catch we hope to get the next catch!

It is such a good sign that the sea is full of sand eels. It is the Puffins main diet and helps to feed and replenish so much

marine life around these coasts.

This morning I went out to the Island with Davy in his Trident  Coble and came back with two lovely crabs for breakfast. They

feed in the iodine rich kelp and are rich in flavour. So the fridge is full again and I feel the season can begin in earnest.

Dawn Marie B

Theses are a couple of photos of the Dawn Marie B fishing for lobsters
of the Northumberland coast.On board is Skipper/owner Davy bell.



Here she is as the Morning Star

Finishing Touches before launch

 Quick photo of the Morning Star on the blocks just before launch.
The vessel to the right of the picture is the Admiral Collingwood having larch planking replaced.

 On the mobile 50Ton crane lining up for the launching dock.








Virginia down to give the final approval before launching



Spring clean

Before fishing could begin this leave the Morning Star needed

her annual dry dock. This year with the crew (David) putting in the

time and with some unusually good weather we managed to

complete the work in a week.

The propeller has been cleaned and polished to improve fuel efficiency and also slightly increases power.

This I achieved with cleaning first  with a scotch bright pad followed with fine emery paper and then soft cloth and lots of brasso.

 I checked the edges of the prop for any damage and to repair as any damage could cause the prop to become unbalanced causing further problems. All looked good!

All the underwater timbers have been cleaned with a pressure washer and thoroughly checked for any damage.The boat has been out of the water for two weeks and good and dry.Any paint that had come off during the winter was primed with underwater primer and left to dry then a full coat of anti fouling was applied.

It is always a good moment when she is renewed and fresh

for the summer season so it was pleasing to have a welcomed visit from Victor Henderson,the man who built her. He always has some fresh information about the boat he built 38 years ago.

The name Morning Star (or Venus as it is better known) was the name of my grandfathers boat.The sign writing was done by a local sign writer at last year's dry dock and was still as good as new.His work is on about every fishing vessel on the north east coast.






So on Friday the 6th May we were ready for the launch!
On the Amble boat company mobile hoist and ready for another season.
All the underwater safety checks have been made and of course the plug put in.
On a coble there is a wooden or cork plug in the forward end for when the boat is out of the water and sitting on timber support blocks she is down by the head so the plug is removed and any water will drain out also should it pour down with rain is saves having to bail out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heading back to the marina with David Major (First Mate)

and having to listen to his wining "Mind th paint"

Anyway its the begining of the season and time to catch some fish.