Emily Rose, Round Two

The plan was to follow up to my first venture out at sea with another trip just weeks after my November exhibition at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, though unfortunately this had to be put on hold. For the rest of 2015, the Brixham trawler Emily Rose was grounded due to extensive maintenance and repair work, particularly to the roof on the wheelhouse. And while this did allow me to begin work on my 'They Live on in Light', I was somewhat gutted that the momentum on my 'Emily Rose' project had slowed after such a progressive and wonderful start.

Yet as with every year, it wasn't long before Christmas came and went and 2016 was quickly upon me.  I spoke to Arthur during the first week of this new year and with work now completed on the Emily Rose, along with his Caribbean Cruise over for another year, we arranged for my next venture out with the crew for mid January.  

I was really interested in capturing the cold harsh feel of winter fishing.  While many of us will be tucked up in the warmth of our homes during these icy months, the idea that a group of fishermen, 30 miles from the coast, working day in day out and in some of the harshest conditions you could imagine, I always found this difficult to comprehend.  

While I arrived in Brixham on the Wednesday, the other crew members were delayed and instead expected till the following morning. I spent much of the afternoon and evening taking in the goings on around the harbour, the sights and many sounds, before Arthur and I enjoyed a good helping of evening fish and chips from the local Rockfish chippy.  This time around, I had my very own bunk and as the night drew in, I got my head down for a few hours.

Arthur Dewhirst, Skipper of the Emily Rose

Early evening at Brixham harbour (Instagram)

My bunk for the journey (Instagram)

It was a much smaller team this time round, with Arthur also getting his scrubs on and pulling shifts on deck; 18 hours on, 6 hours off for this crew of three. I didn't envy the graft one bit, and these weren't young guys either. Seeing them in action really did put me to shame, as I'm sure you can guess what is coming next.

Clifford Warren (right) and Sean 'Scribo' Scrivens

Ship to ship chats in the harbour (Instagram)

The freezer room is filled with ice (Instagram)

Not more than 30 minutes after leaving Brixham harbour and my legs turned to jelly.  The gentle calm that was contained in the wake disappeared as we hit open seas; rough waves lifting the trawler back and forth with absolute ease.  I felt awful, throwing up over and over till there was nothing left inside me. Even then I was still trying, with only belching noises followed by long stringy spit (my apologies for that description).  I literally thought having done so well during the last outing (or at least towards the back end of the week), having braved that gale force 8 storm and rode the waves like a complete champion, I was cured forever of seasickness.  I was a sailor now.  I had my very own sea legs and nothing could stop me!  But no, that was not quite how it worked.

Leaving Brixham, moments before I was sick (Instagram)

For the next four days I was a complete and utter wreck. I was so disappointed with myself and cursed the fact. I just kept muttering next time, next time I'll take the tablets in between further bouts of throwing up.  Given how I felt and how much time I spent in my bunk (it seemed the only place where I kept things down), you'd be surprised I even took any photos at all. Yet I did.  And just as I did during the last trip, I came back with some crackers.  

Cliffy rescued the trapped Gull and helped it safely overboard

Cliffy working the deck (Instagram)

The Squid actually managed to pull itself up and over and make it back to the sea

Another cold day draws to a close

After four days with no food and most of my Christmas weight now feeding the fishes, things started to get a little better for me.  Despite the way I had been feeling, I was immensely happy with the images taken and I was just glad for the opportunity once again to be out here doing something I loved. It is not every day you get to see scenes like the above, and below.

The familiar sight after a haul (Instagram)

Another 'Poseidon' maybe?

With storm Jonas heading towards the UK following its battering of the States, we headed back a few days early. You could really feel a bitterly cold change to the already icy temperature, the swell of the waves expanding in size that compared very much to last time's gale force 8. With a smaller crew it wasn't worth the risk. They had done a stellar job, worked harder than anyone I could have imagined, in conditions and an environment never gentle on the skin or senses. And there was me, pretty much wetter than most of the catch. I had a very long way to go before I could ever compared myself to a fisherman.

Back on dry land at Brixham Harbour (Instagram)

Since my return, my website has been updated with many more photos from this trip and I really feel like this series is beginning to tell a wonderful story of what life onboard a trawler is really like. I plan to head back out to sea with the Emily Rose during the latter part of March, with two (possibly three) more trips to see me through to June where I will conclude the project. Though next time I will stock up on various tablets and methods to combat sea sickness. I know who I am now, and its not nowhere near the levels of Arthur Dewhirst and his fine crew.   

Emily Rose @ National Marine Aquarium

With my next venture out at sea with the crew of the Emily Rose just around the corner, it was wonderful to see my previous outing onboard gaining so much positive attention.  Emily Rose was fast becoming more than just another project; I honestly had a genuine interest into the lives of these fishermen and the many hardships they face on a day to day basis.  After all, they were out for weeks on end on one of the most dangerous and ever changing landscapes this world had evolved and perfectly perfected; for that reason alone I had nothing but absolute admiration, as well as a huge amount of intrigue into what lifts someone from the comfort and (almost) safety of dry land to working in such harsh, and at times, wretched conditions.

My expectation for this project had always been to honestly, and with the greatest amount of respect, portray a way life that for many (and no different to myself not so long ago), whose only association with these trawlermen was to order a fish supper from the chippy or pursuing today's catch at the local market.  This lack of understanding was not so much caused by ignorance; I simply felt that coverage of this livelihood was not hugely represented, thus leading to a severe lack of awareness.  To be fair, there was and is so much happening in the world, so many varied lifestyle and life choices, I suppose it is impossible to keep tabs on everything that goes on.  In my mind, if I could just inform even a few people, open a series of eyes and minds to a world vastly different, though one very much within and connected to their own, I was heading in the right direction.

My latest exhibition and first public display of 'Emily Rose' was held over the weekend (29.10 | 1.11.2015) at the National Marine Aquarium, in association with Norman Holmes and Kaya Gallery, featuring a stunning selection of work by Plymouth's Ocean City Artists.  It was a real privilege to be amongst the likes of David Gray, Julie Hammonds, David Chambers, Julianna Depledge, Carol Rolfe, Sophie Johnson, Jenny Evans and many many more.  My display consisted of six single image prints (21x14 inch), along with a montage piece (36x28 inch), all printed on 5mm foamex with a laminate finish.  Graphique in St. Austell, the same company that produced my 'i am Alive' image for my end of year show in London through Plymouth College of Art provided a fabulous job with the printing and left me stunned with the results.

The idea that I was the only photographer on display in this melting pot of such talented painters, glass makers and designers was fantastic, and often throughout the evening this was how I was referred to.  Wow, so you're the photographer!  Hearing that on repeat never got old.  By the end of the night I was mentally exhausted, though this was a good exhausted of course; my throat sore from constant yet welcoming conversations regarding my work, my first week at sea, the next outing and in particular, 'Poseidon'

'Poseidon' quickly became the main talking point during the night.  Comments generally begun or ended with the word phenomenal, elevating my head to a place way past cloud nine.  With a run of 64 limited edition prints on high end aluminium going into production this month following interesting from a company in the south west, as well as a recent three page spread in Fishing News (huge thanks to Dave Linkie and the team), I felt everything, touch wood, was finally coming together following a tough yet eventful first year as a practising photographer post-graduation.  With the winter fishing season now in full swing, I couldn't wait to see what images I would return with when I landed back on dry land.   

Poseidon

My recent article in Fishing News, found in WH Smiths

Brixham Trawler Race 2015

When I began networking my project via a series of skippers at Sutton Harbour, I never imagined that weeks later I would be taking part in a quite bizarre and utterly fantastic trawler race in Brixham.  On Saturday the 20th of June, what could have easily been just a usual weekend day here in the south west, quickly became something very special indeed.

Although I had been living in Plymouth for almost a decade now, I had no idea anything like this ever took place.  Yet trawler racing in Brixham was an annual event that bought about a huge public turn out and not just from those in the surrounding area.  Records dated back well before the 1950's, with many websites still keeping track and showcasing various records of trawlers and their crew that had taken part or won over the years.  

It was the first time in a long time that I was up at 5am on a Saturday morning, but in order to get from Plymouth to Brixham in time to board the Emily Jane, it was an unfortunate necessity.  A few buses and a train journey later and I arrived excitedly at the harbour.  I had been invited by Arthur, the skipper of the Emily Jane to come aboard and photograph the event after meeting him and his crew during one of my networking sessions at Sutton Harbour in Plymouth.  After discussing my initial plans of my project with him, I felt as if the Emily Jane would become a major part of my documentary.   

Arthur, skipper of the Emily Jane

Being in Brixham that morning, I quickly decided that I would expand further on what I had begun to document at Sutton Harbour and include this scenic and striking location, as well as Dartmouth in the near future.  It really didn't seem to matter where the trawler started out from, as many of these harbours seemed very much connected; the fact that I met Arthur and the crew of the Emily Jane, a Brixham trawler in Plymouth really said it all.  If this had not been the case, I don't believe I would have known about the trawler race in Brixham on Saturday.

As I stood upon the deck, I felt something immediately special about the Emily Jane and her crew, and in time I hoped to find out more about their lives and livelihoods, as well as the history of this trawler.  During July, I would be going out to sea with them for what could potentially be the first of many outings over the course of this year, perhaps even beyond depending on the project.  There were many stories to be told, I knew this, along with many journeys to be soon shared.  What did happen to a person after many days out to sea, and in particular, what would have to someone like me, who was not used to this way of life?  What did this crew really have to go through, their handwork and graft, just to put a fish supper in front of a family week in and week out?

The Jeremy Kyle Show.  Arthur won't leave the harbour until its finished.

One of the most surprising things of the day was just how packed the boats were. Families, friends, sixteen of the trawlers on show were a playground full of people, all out celebrating in such high spirits.  Colourful flags draped high across the decks as music belted out from many speakers upon many boats. Trawlers began setting off out to sea and just as we were leaving the docks, the dark overcast skies began to empty with rain.  I was gutted, though thankfully it was only a quick shower and I was back out on deck snapping away. 

The radar showing the trawlers leaving the harbour 

It was an incredible sight it is to see a dozen or so trawlers all grouped up together, horns bellowing in tandem with one another, all ready to kick off the yearly proceedings once again.  When these ships built up a bit of speed, they really did move.  I loved being on board and it was an unforgettable day; I know this time next year I'll be back again, and hopefully again on the Emily Jane.      

I found the whole event to be a perfect introduction to my project.  I learned so much, particularly in what it means to shoot amongst unfamiliar surroundings, being aware and understanding space, whether limited on deck or vast in terms of all that is around.  That day onboard the Emily Jane also revealed a great deal about myself as a photographer and how I will go about this project over these coming months.  I still have a lot of things to organise (a new camera bag being top of the list) and only a few weeks to get all this sorted before my first venture out to sea.  With my Devonport exhibition soon coming to a close and a whole new chapter on the high seas about to open, it does feel like the winds are beginning to change and I'm finally heading in the right direction after all.

My favourite shot of the day