Taken from the wheel house while heading out to the fishing grounds, each member of the crew finds a place on the vessel , gets comfortable and waits to arrive at the fishing grounds.

Taken from the stern of the vessel, another crew member waits during the early morning steam out to the fishing grounds. The fish can be located in the outer harbor early in the season or ten miles away as the season is close to ending.

Father and son, searching for the fish balls that ripple the surface.

On purse seine vessels there are many moving parts, cable, ropes, and a large heavy weight. There is a tremendous amount of tension as the net is being gathered. Here they clip the weight to a line connected to the bottom of the net, when released overboard it will sink quickly to the bottom and close that portion of the net, insuring they contain the catch as they haul the net in.

Taken from the crows nest 25-30 feet above the wheel house, the net is slowly being gathered towards the seine boat.

Hauling in the net.

The first set is being hauled in with a winch and the crew on the rail.

The crew reaches for a line which will connect the net to the storage vessel that will carry the catch.

Secondary Vessel arrives to tie off when the net has been gathered concentrating the fish.

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Here the net has been consolidated and ready to be emptied.

The fish basket is lowered and scoops out the fish, transferring it to the Fishing Vessel that has a storage hold below. The seine boat is a smaller vessel and usually does not store the fish. I carries the net.

Three individuals help with the basket of fish, one on the hydraulics, one with the handle guiding it and one with a rope attaches to assist with the lift.

After each set the net is hauled in over the winch and flaked out in layers.

Wheel house with the Captain looking for the fish on the surface of the water and his son sitting on the bow assisting him. The seine vessel will make three to four sets to complete the fishing trip.

It takes several crew members all working on certain aspects of flaking the net in to position for the next set.

flaking the net.

Galley view. The FV in the image is the sister vessel.

The youngest crew member at age 21, he loves fishing. He's an avid sailor, who has sailed across the Atlantic and parts of Europe , he plays the cello and played in a performance hall. A true renaissance man. I found time to shoot an occasional portrait, I intentionally shot through the wet net, giving this image reference and texture. Most times they are busy and portraits are rare. You can never get in the way of them working.

Flaking the net. The layering is very important for the success of the next set. During a set, the net goes over the rails at a fast rate. Carefully placing the net will insure there will be no tangles.

To the rails.

Organizing between sets.

Coming into the harbor after fishing.

Steering to the wharf and the crew is in position to tie up the FV.