Fellowship of the sea lives on

摘要

As fishermen, we take a lot of things for granted that would likely astound others. You can watch landlubbers' faces as you relate one of these tales, and you suddenly realize that the listener doesn't believe a word you're saying. But you've probablytoned it down a little because you knew it would sound unbelievable to someone who doesn't live by his wits day and night. In addition, they find the situations you get yourself into even more bizarre. I can remember telling non-sea people stories of breakdowns, imperfect storms, near misses, and the like. I don't know what drives us to tell these stories. I've often thought it was just ego, trying to look courageous in the presence of people whose lives fit what I consider to be more "the norm." It'sreally quite the opposite. Most fishermen, myself included, consider their mishaps and calamities as foolishness or stupidity. But we are comfortable sharing these experiences with each other. It's just the business we're in.