Remembering a Lost Fisherman

This has been a sad week for our community. Last Tuesday the lobster fishing season kicked off. It's a dangerous time for those who work at earning a living from the sea, winter's coming, the seas are rough and heavy winds are frequent.
On the first day, everyone is out at daylight with boats loaded with as many lobster traps as they can carry, all have to be set out to claim their area for the whole season. Because of this, the Dept. of Fisheries delays the opening when the weather is too rough, but a fisherman's life cannot be completely safe by its very nature.
This time one boat didn't make it through that first day, foundered in rough seas with engine trouble. Her captain and three crew ended up in the ocean when the boat went down.

It happens in minutes, and it's everyone's worst nightmare. The three crewmen survived, but the captain didn't make it. The funeral mass was this afternoon, on another windy day when the boats are out there, traps being pulled, baited, and put back in the still rough waters. The captain was my age and his son goes to the same school as mine. A dark time for his family.

My sister's husband, also a lobster fisherman, is out working those same waters. My nephew is trying it this year for the first time. For the rest of the season, we'll all be sending our prayers and thoughts to the family of that lost fisherman. Many families will be waiting and watching, checking the weather and the wind, until the last boat comes into harbour and ties up safely for each night. Many a silent prayer will be said each morning as the boats set out to sea for another long, long day.

They that go down to the sea in ships; and occupy their business in
great waters, these men see the works of the Lord: and his wonders in the deep.