I’m a Sternwoman from Maine
I get up before the sun, and sometimes I don’t get off the boat till it’s gone from the sky.
I know that just because my captain says we are going the next morning, it does not mean we definitely are and this could be for a variety of reasons such as wind, fog, captain stayed up too late drinking and doesn’t want to go, several other fishermen haven’t gone so there must be something wrong with potential weather, plus five billion other excuses/reasons.
I know that once I get on the boat it doesn’t mean that we will stay out due to wind, fog, captain staying up too late, frustration from lack of catch, tangles, or boat breaking down (ranging from reasons such as a tarp getting sucked into the engine-to engine blowing up).
I know not to laugh when: a lobster pinches the captain, a buoy or toggle hits captain in any body part (even really hilarious places), when captain misses buoy with gaff for the fourth time in a row, or when the captain falls on his ass.
I know I should hate the following creatures: seals/thieves of the sea, gulls/rats of the air, sculpins and cunners, green crabs, and anyone who is fishing where they shouldn’t be. (PS- I secretly think seals are adorable.)
I know that everything is my fault somehow and that I must take the blame, and keep my mouth shut no matter how much I disagree. Some things that have been my fault over the years (that totally weren’t): bait bags falling out of traps, missed buoys, traps thrown overboard without rope attached, “rushing” the captain due to appointment I made three months prior-causing captain to lose his mind all day, lack of bait aboard, and captain forgetting his lunch on dock or any other newly important thing needed for the day.
I know I should always bring more food/drinks than needed because we could end up on the boat for several hours longer than predicted- and god forbid I should complain about starvation, or steal captain's food (if Ring-Dings and Mountain Dew count as food).
I should not have a problem with going to the bathroom in a slimy nasty bucket, and I should have amazing sea legs as to avoid potential embarrassing situation with bathroom bucket.
Being a sternwoman it will take about 1-3 months before lobstermen/sternmen will talk to me in the morning, unless they already know me. At first it will appear I have three heads and will be looked at strangely, especially when I prove to have strength similar to their own.
I should know the following: who each buoy and boat belongs to (I have not figured this out over the course of 20 years), what the guys are saying on the radio and be able to translate it in seconds to the captain just in case he couldn’t hear (again my fault if not heard).
I should never say pig or any pork product, I shall not whistle, and by no means should I say that we are doing well, for that will turn things around for the worse.
I should always appreciate how much I am paid, even if it amounts to less then minimum wage at end of the day, I should realize it's part of the job and appear pleased and not curse that I won't be able to afford rent this month.
I am a sternwoman from Maine and I love my job.
Although I deal with all these things on a daily basis I couldn't ask for a better job in the summer- ocean surrounding me, fresh salt air, and working for my dad everyday. I guess that's why I have done it since I was six years old and will continue to do it for as long as I can.