Tag Archives: lobster boats
When it comes to boatbuilding, Peter Kass would rather build wooden boats by hand
There is something timeless, at least on the coast of Maine, about a boat made of wood. Crafting those boats requires skills and even tools dating back hundreds of years. In a time when most boats are built of fiberglass or other man-made materials, Peter Kass still does it the old way—building lobster boats and yachts from wood, the way he was taught when he was just 17 years old. Kass grew up in Massachusetts but said he moved to Maine after finishing high school to learn the boatbuilder’s trade. “I’ve always loved it,” he said, now in his early 60’s. “It’s challenging, very interesting…some parts dirty and unpleasant, but for the most part, it’s fun putting the parts together. I love boats,” Kass explained. Kass said he learned from the old-time wooden boatbuilders at the Gamage Shipyard in South Bristol; known at the time for building a series of wooden sailing ships, including a history of building commercial fishing vessels. He then worked at two other yards before opening his own shop, John’s Bay Boat Company, in 1983. Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 20:07
Boatbuilder: Frank Luke
Over one hundred vessels have slid down the ways into Linekin Bay out of Paul E. Luke, Inc. boat yard: lobster boats, power cruisers, sailboats (race and cruising) both wood and aluminum. There is only one boatbuilder in this boatyard. Make no mistake whose yard it was, and who was boss. He was Paul Luke. Others worked here and moved on to become boat builders in their own yard: John Luke, Jim Jones, Matt Sledge, and others moved on and became successful builders in their own yard, but they passed through here. In the early days, I was happy to come down to the yard, as it was full of friends and had a lot of energy in the air. There was always a lot going on … Never long after I arrived, either a broom or a shovel was pushed in my direction. I always knew where I wanted to work, the question was, “Where will I fit in?” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:25
Narragansett’s Charles J. Wolf, Featured on Discovery Channel Series Lobster Wars, has passed away
We sadly said goodbye to Narragansett surfcaster and owner of Surf Ninja Customs, Charles J Wolf (Lepre). Born February 13, 1979, in Warwick, RI. Charlie passed due to complications from a heart condition, on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at the age of 44. Charlie was surrounded by his family, at Hope Hospice Center in Providence, RI. As a senior at Narragansett High School, he joined the Pt Judith commercial fishing fleet. He worked on lobster boats, scallopers and everything else that fished our waters. That same year, he was offered the captain seat of the inshore Lobster Boat the Jeanie, owned and operated by Thomas Ditmar. Tom became a mentor to Charlie, teaching him the ins and outs of operating and maintaining a fishing vessel. During his career, he was featured on the Discovery Channel series Lobster Wars. At that time, he was a deckhand on The Dragon Lady, an offshore Lobster Boat out of Pt Judith. Charlie spent over 20 years in the commercial fishing industry earning a reputation as a skilled and worthy deckhand and shipmate, becoming a brother to many. >click to read< 10:43
23% of P.E.I. lobster boats inspected by DFO in May blitz violated Fisheries Act
Thirty-one out of 135 lobster fishing boats inspected in a blitz investigation in P.E.I. were found to be in violation of the Fisheries Act. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans conducted the inspection in Lobster Fishing Area 24 (North Shore), and 26A and 26B (East Point to Wood Islands to Victoria) between May 30 and 31. Written warnings are given in circumstances like a fisher not having a copy of their fishing licence on the boat at the time of inspection. But four of the violations were for summary offences. >click to read< 12:56
New England lobster, crab boats could begin using experimental ropeless gear with federal permits
Henry Milliken supervises a prototyping program for the so-called “ropeless” gear at the Northeast Marine Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole. “Our goal is to work with the fishermen, get them experienced with the gear outside of the closed areas, outside of the times when the right whales are present, and then when everyone is experienced, everyone is comfortable, then permit them to fish in the closed areas,” Milliken says. Most Maine fishermen dismiss the technology as unworkable in the state’s diverse fishing grounds. But a handful are quietly trying it out. >click to read< 19:36
Electronic Monitoring of the Lobster fishery, Tracking of the Red Shrimp fishery to be imposed
America’s lobster fishing businesses could be subjected to electronic tracking requirements to try to protect vulnerable right whales and get a better idea of the population of the valuable crustaceans. The fishery has collapsed in southern New England, however. Fishermen from New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island were once a significant part of the fishery,,, >click to read<…The American red-spotted shrimp fishery may be subject to electronic tracking requirements to protect vulnerable right whales and better understand precious crustacean populations. However, fishing has collapsed in southern New England. Fishermen in New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island used to be an important part of the fishing industry, Starks said, but the stock of red-spotted shrimp in southern New England is now depleted. Scientists have linked the collapse of fishing in southern New England to warming seawater. >click to read< 10:50
Lobster fishing 101: Everything you wanted to know! From Setting Day to Fishers pay!
In early May, hundreds of Prince Edward Island fishing boats head out into the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence to sink their traps and bring back lobsters,,, Jada Yeo has been a fisherman’s helper aboard her father David’s boat, Let Her Go, for the past six years, since she graduated from high school. Sheila Eastman has been North Lake’s harbour manager for 20 years, and is like a mother to most of the fishermen. In fact, her son, one of her brothers and other relatives fish out of North Lake. From Setting Day, lobster boats, sharing up, fishing areas, and terminology preferences such as fishers, fisherman, fisherwoman, with lots of photos!, >click to read< 13:12
Lobstermen gather for foggy farewell to Andrew Gove
Dozens of lobster boats gathered off Greenhead on foggy Deer Island Thorofare Sunday morning to remember and pay tribute to “Uncle” Andrew Gove. A fisherman for 82 years, Gove retired from the sea last year at the age of 89 and died late last month at the age of 90. The fog was so thick Sunday morning that it was hard to tell exactly how many boats took part in the tribute, but one estimate was that as many as 50 were on hand. In addition to boats from Stonington, boats came from nearby harbors on the Blue Hill Peninsula and from as far away as Searsport, Vinalhaven and North Haven, home to many of Gove’s relatives. >click to read< 17:44
PHOTO GALLERY: Paying tribute to Andy Gove – >click for photo’s<
Lobster boat racing season was a summer success
As attention begins to turn from boat motors to snow blowers, the Maine Lobster Boat Racing Association reports that the summer racing season was a resounding success. With 10 events on the card spread over venues ranging from Portland to Jonesport-Beals, according to MLBRA President Jon Johansen, 823 boats took part in races last summer. That’s the largest number of boats ever to compete in the summer racing series. >click to read< 14:33
Engine shortage slows pace of boatbuilding
Seated behind the desk in his office, boatbuilder Stewart Workman seemed pretty relaxed for a businessman with a big problem that seems to be growing worse.,, Over the past couple of years, as more of the lobster fishery has moved into deeper waters far from land, Workman’s customers have been looking at the biggest boats he can build, but he is finding it difficult to satisfy their needs. The reason is simple. “There are no engines available that are big enough to safely operate our (biggest) boats offshore,” Workman said recently. Fishermen are the customers who are feeling the pinch. The new emission rule exempts non-commercial vessels. >click to read<19:48
Boatbuilders boosting capacity and hiring workers to keep up with demand
Wedgeport Boats is boosting its production capacity and hiring more employees to meet the strong demand for modern lobster-fishing boats.,, The challenge for Nova Scotia’s boatyards – some industry insiders say the biggest challenge – is finding those employees to build increasingly complex and larger lobster-fishing boats. “Boatbuilders are looking at replacing wood with some composite panels for deckhouses,” said Tim Edwards, executive director of the Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association. “Many lobster boats are being fitted with live wells – to help improve the quality of landed catch. click here to read the story 08:54
Florida Fishermen Pin Their Hopes On Stone Crab Season after Hurricane Irma
On Florida’s Marathon Key, lobster boats pull up to the docks in the afternoon, same as they would on any September day. But this year, instead of hauling in thousands of valuable spiny lobsters, most are unloading the few traps they can find, and maybe a quarter of the usual catch. Boat captain Carlos Moreira is tired after a long day at sea searching for lost traps. “Well you gotta start somewhere, so you just look for one,” says Moreira. “Yesterday, from where I had my traps to where I found them, they were 7 miles away. And to travel around, and try to find a 7 and a half inch buoy in the Gulf of Mexico, is a challenge.” click here to read the story 08:16
A double whammy at trap yard – First, a fire, then a hurricane. What can possibly come next? “A lot of guys lost a lot of gear again. They rebuilt all the traps lost in the fire, so all those traps were lost for a second time,” click here to read the story
Lobster boats collide off South Bristol, one sinks, no injuries reported
Two lobster boats collided off South Bristol the Tuesday morning, and one of the vessels sank, according to U.S. Coast Guard Station Boothbay Harbor. There were no injuries. U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern New England is investigating the cause of the accident. The names of the individuals and vessels involved are not being released, according to William Armstrong, officer in charge at Coast Guard Station Boothbay Harbor. Around 8 a.m. Tuesday, the boats collided “3-4 miles” offshore, Armstrong said. The second vessel sustained only minor damage. click here to read the story 14:20
Controversial bill allowing secret tracking devices on lobster boats wins Maine Senate approval
A compromise has been reached over a controversial bill that would allow the Department of Marine Resources to secretly place tracking devices on lobster boats. The measure is aimed at cracking down on violators of lobstering laws. The Maine Lobstermen’s Union had been strongly opposed to the bill, saying it gave the commissioner too much authority by allowing him to covertly track boats. But after a discussion with the commissioner this morning the union now backs the bill. “So we have a lot more people fishing offshore, much more difficult to catch violators offshore,” said Patrice McCarron of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association. McCarron said if allowing investigators to covertly place tracking devices on boats of suspected cheaters leads to more arrests, the industry will be better off. Video, click here to read the story 11:30
Maine Lobstermen Support GPS Tracking of Lawbreakers Fishing Vessels – Lobstermen from Swans Island are fed up with the bad behavior of fellow fishermen who violate regulations within the states most valuable fishery. Video, click here to read the story 12:02
Mass Delegation pressures NOAA over Lobster Boat Observer coverage
According to NOAA’s figures, Massachusetts-based 
are scheduled for 266 sea days of monitor coverage in the 2015 fishing season, compared to only 218 in Maine where there are significantly more lobstermen fishing. Together, Massachusetts and Maine will account for 78 percent (484 of 619) of all sea days of coverage scheduled in 2015 for lobster boats fishing from Maryland to Maine. “While NOAA has indicated that lobstermen will not be financially responsible for observer coverage during the 2015 season, the agency has not indicated if this will be the case in subsequent years,” the letter said. Read the rest here 09:01
Observer coverage more likely on lobster boats with state, federal permits
Massachusetts is slated to have more 
than Maine, where there are far more lobstermen fishing. According to NMFS, Massachusetts-based lobster boats are scheduled for 266 sea days of monitor coverage in 2015, compared to 218 for Maine. Together, lobstermen from the two states are scheduled for 78 percent, or 484 of the 619, of the sea days of coverage slated for 2015 in lobster fisheries from Maine to Maryland. “Massachusetts has a lot of activity because there are a lot more fishermen who hold other federal permits,” Read the rest here 17:59
Malpeque lobster boats stranded by sand bar
At least two boats were stuck and nearly a dozen more stranded in Malpeque Harbour on P.E.I.’s North Shore over the weekend. Low tides created a sandbar, making it nearly impossible for boats to get back to the wharf. Chris Wall is a lobster fisherman from Malpeque and was able to leave the Harbour just before the water levels got too low. He said for those who were left, there isn’t much choice but to wait until the tide comes back in. Read the rest here 08:47
4 lobster boats stuck on sandbar in Tabusintac – Comes on heels of deaths of 3 lobster fishermen
At least four boats in Tabusintac are stuck on a sandbar, while another 15 were delayed by the low tide, a fisherman told Radio-Canada. It comes just nine days after three lobster fishermen were killed when their boat hit a sandbar and capsized in rough seas near the small northeastern community. continued
