My Chief Complaint

Scott’s Log:

Having left Portland on the 9^th we worked our way up to Nova Scotia and I can honestly say I have nothing to gripe about which is great. Mario covered our engine belching up black smoke and Sam’s instant and correct diagnosis, so that wasn’t much of an issue other than clearing into Canada a bit earlier that we expected. That turned into a real positive though because that allowed us to transit Lake Bras D’or, which is beautiful. It also allowed me to me to connect with some old and new friends on our sister ship. We even got a good laugh when we passed through the lock and were greeted with a “Welcome back.” They had just seen the other FPB 64 transit a few days before and assumed it was them again. We anchored in some great coves and enjoyed great weather.

The Crew of course is another matter. They have better stories than I do, which makes me terribly jealous but there is an upside. We enjoy a lot of raucous laughter. Then Dan-Dan the work out man set about his disciplined schedule of actually exercising. Well, that brought out the competitive spirt in the younger crowd. Sam, being our resident old wise man, was too seasoned to fall into the trap. It began, and might have ended (time will tell) with Mario’s suggestion we each do 100 pushups. He of course had to do more and completed 110. I managed 105 and two days later whimper trying to put my shirt on. Dan-Dan the work out man not only did his 100, but a wide range of other exercises that looked like they are designed to wear out your knees though he assures me not. I am choosing to take his word for it rather than to partake.

I guess that leaves my only real gripe. Nova Scotia Monster Pots have to be the worst sort of sea monsters you can imagine. I have navigated a lot of waters, and most lobster and crab pot lines are weighted and hang below their floats. Maine lobster fishermen of course hang toggles off their pots to make them easier to pick up and consequently easier to run over. However, once you know the system, they are easily avoided with a sharp look out and an attentive helmsman. While taking to the captain of the other FPB64, I was astounded that he had run over a pot and managed to get it thoroughly wrapped around his prop and rudder, resulting in having to go into the water to cut it all free. I honestly couldn’t believe it. I thought he was experienced. How could someone with all of his experience fail to avoid a lobster pot. I shook it off and committed to be extra attentive while navigating close to and then into the harbor. Then it hit me, or more to the point, then I ran over one and understood exactly why.

First, the lobstermen put the pots right in the middle of the marked channel! Yes, in the middle and to both sides! I wish that was the difficult part but nooooo! They use a line that not only floats in a random direction from the float marking the pot, but it lays on the surface of the water for 25-40 feet! You read that right. So, crew calls out pot to starboard…then you must slow way down to determine the direction of the real “trap” the floating line. By some magic we entered the harbor unscathed, but still in a state of disbelief.

I have yet to be able to talk to one of these Sea Monster cultivating Lobstermen, so, if you’re out there please, comment and let us know the logic as I am sure there is some. Fishermen are extraordinarily hearty people and generally have reasons for everything they do. We are guests in their arena, and they graciously put up with our occasional bumbling. Luckily, we followed a lobster boat out of the harbor and he left a nice clear path to follow. Hopefully we remain clear of these pot monsters as we navigate up the coast. Perhaps next I will gripe about having to update my charts.