| 1 |
Are you interested in a dangerous job? The crab season in Alaska is beginning and I could use a partner to cover the bay area. Have you any experience with catching crabs? |
| 2 |
Crabbing is not the same as fishing but that experience will come in handy too. But I will help you so don’t worry. Let me show you the basic equipment you will need. |
| 3 |
You won’t need a large ship. A small, agile boat is fine. Just make sure she can withstand the Alaskan weather. Once a storm comes, you will fear for your life. But the catch is worth it. |
| 4 |
You know how to use the fish hooks, right? It’s the basic equipment and we don’t use it much while catching crabs. But it’s always good to have some on hand. Especially to catch some bait for the crabs. |
| 5 |
We are not catching just any tiny crabs. King crab is a large beast worth a lot of money. They love to crawl on rocky reefs. Just be careful not to get your ship wrecked on those rocks. |
| 6 |
You will need a crew that can withstand some harsh conditions. Catching the crabs in Alaskan waters is no relaxing fishing trip. The waves are massive, the cold is freezing and the crabs are monstrous. |
| 7 |
Work on the deck can get pretty wet. Your men will be thankful for waterproof suits. Let’s go buy some. It’s good to pick some in a bright color so you can see the men even in the dark. |
| 8 |
Let’s start with some regular fishing first. Have you been to Alaska before? The sea is freezing and the weather unforgiving. But there is a lot of fish here. Including great seafood like the king crabs. |
| 9 |
We are catching the crabs in the early morning so no sleeping in. This is a job for men as hard as steel. Or women. Actually, I am training my daughter, Sandy, to become a captain like me. |
| 10 |
It’s time I show you the most important equipment for catching those red beasts. We use these traps or pots and place bait inside to lure the crabs. We can use the fish we caught as bait. |
| 11 |
Tomorrow we go set up the traps. The next day we go check on them. We collect the crabs and get them into barrels. Then we put fresh bait inside the trap and lower it back into the sea. |
| 12 |
Sounds easy, but the unpleasant weather can make this one of the most dangerous jobs. So always be cautious, follow my lead and watch out for those sharp rocks. |
| 13 |
We are going to set the first bait tomorrow. Tell your men to be ready in the morning. We will set out before the sun rises. Make sure everyone has warm clothes on. It will be cold out on the sea. |
| 14 |
We are lucky today. The sea is calm and setting the traps will be easy. Have you taken the bait? The king crabs like codfish the most. But other fish will do too. |
| 15 |
We had an easy job today. But it doesn’t always go this smoothly. Now that the job is done for the day, we can have a drink at the portside bar. Tomorrow we will go pick up our crabs. |
| 16 |
Are you ready for your first dangerous catch? It seems we will have a more adventurous trip today. The waves are big and the wind is harsh, but the crabs are waiting. |
| 17 |
Quick before the waves pull him to the bottom! He is wearing a life vest but in these waves, it might not help much. Do you have a rope or even a metal pole we could throw him? |
| 18 |
He is just a bit cold and wet. Get him a blanket and he should be fine. Now let’s take care of the crabs. Open the traps in the large pit and from there the crew will get them into the barrels. |
| 19 |
Your men deserve a day to relax. Even the newbie Josh, who fell overboard. He did well and next time he will be more careful. There is a lot of things that can go wrong on a boat during bad weather. |
| 20 |
We are not selling the crabs ourselves. We have a buyer who will take the whole lot and sell the crabs to the end customers. Until he comes for them, the crabs are stored in our warehouse. |
| 21 |
We need more bait for the next crabbing trip. I trust you can take care of it yourself now. Go catch some fish and don’t forget to take new fishing hooks. |
| 22 |
I am leaving the eastern part of the bay to you. Here is a map, where you can see the location of the crab traps. Raise the traps from the water, crabs out, bait in, and lower traps back into the sea. |
| 23 |
So how did it go, captain? I see you have brought some traps back. Sometimes, they get damaged but they can be repaired quite easily. Come, I will show you how. Just get some metal wire. |
| 24 |
The engine on my ship is making some strange sounds. I think I have to call a mechanic to have a look at it. But we still haven’t received payment for the last batch of crabs and I am short on cash. |
| 25 |
My ship is fine. But some of my guys have taken a few days off. I can take your crew on the next crabbing trip. It’s a good opportunity to earn some money and learn something new. |
| 26 |
I found some new spots where we can set up the traps. Take a few crab pots and I will show you the new spots. But be ready for a wild ride. The sea is turbulent today and the waves are high. |
| 27 |
There are rocks ahead of us! I can’t turn the ship, the waves are taking us right onto the reef. Hold on to something! |
| 28 |
The rocks have breached the hull and we are taking on water. We need to close off the flooded cabins. Hopefully, it will help keep the ship afloat. I will try to get us ashore safely. |
| 29 |
We have made it to the port. Some crabbing trips can end up like this. I think it’s time I bought a new ship. I will have this one fixed and leave it to my daughter Sandy. She deserves her own boat. |
| 30 |
The ship for Sandy is ready. But I would feel better if she has someone experienced with her aboard. How about you, captain? Will you help Sandy out with her first dangerous catch? |
| Final |
Here is a small token of appreciation for all your work. I hope you will be as helpful to my daughter. |
WILL BOBROWSKI
10,500
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1,500
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