We’ve been talking about trawling and trawlers such as our local pelagic vessels that go out in a day and catch inshore. We have spoken about kief trawlers that catch at mid-sea and we’ve talked about bottom line trawlers and long liners, some of which set out to sea for as long as 30-31 days.

Today we’re chatting to Gavin Combrink, who has been with Dyer Island Fisheries for 14 years and is currently the Chief Engineer on the Amoria.

 “There are two types of long line trawlers,” Gavin explains, “some like our Dyer Island Fisheries’ vessels have quotas for hake and kingklip only, but there are others that catch swordfish, big eye and marlin that can easily go for as much as R520 per kilogram on the market.”

The Amoria spends 9-10 days at a time at sea. Since it does not have a factory on board, the fish is kept on ice until offloaded.

Gavin started his watery career in the SA Navy where he served for a number of years. He then worked for 8 years in Northern Africa on the guard boats that protect the seaways in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania and Somalia against the piracy of private yachts, cargo vessels and even oil rigs.

“Today it is a requirement by insurance companies to have some protection against piracy,” says Gavin.

“The guard boats would sail alongside these vessels and that’s when I first realized what a lonely life sailing could be. One could be on the water for up to 9 months at a time and if you’re married, you had to have a very good wife taking care of things at home in your absence. I could only attend 2 of my sons’ weddings and another’s 21st during this time. ”

Gavin has 7 sons of which 3 have followed his career path … Calvin, who is Chief Engineer of I Do, a trawler that goes out for  30-31  days;  Glen,  who  also works for Dyer Island Fisheries and does all the glass fibre and carpentry for them and Wayne, who is a full commander in the SA Navy.

What is an average day like on a long line trawler?

Gavin explains:  “There are 2 officers on the bridge, the Captain and the Mate, and they work in shifts … one on … the other one off. Then there are 2 engineers, the Chief Engineer and another. They too work in shifts … one awake the other one sleeping.”

Then there are 24 crew members whose average day starts in the evening at about 9pm when they attach the bait to the hooks and the hooks to the lines and the lines to the rope.

By plus/minus 1-2am in the morning the ropes are shot away. This activity takes them to about 7am after which they can rest until 10am.

Now it’s time for pulling in the fish caught on the line. This can take them up to 10pm before a welcome 4 to 5 hours sleep is in the order of the day and before the whole process is repeated. 

The majority of the fishermen don’t work for a salary but on a commission basis, and are paid an amount per ton per fish species caught.

What happens in the case of an accident or illness?

“As part of his training the Captain of the vessel does a Ship’s Doctor’s Course,” explains Gavin, “and the vessel carries an amount of medical stock for emergencies. Of course we’re also in radio contact with Cape Town Radio who will notify NSRI or in serious cases a helicopter will be sent out.”

It’s not all hard work though!

Even with such a busy day though, there is still time for three meals a day all prepared by the galley.

Breakfast comprises of bacon or sausage and eggs with bread, jam or peanut butter. Lunch and dinner can be beef stew or chicken with stywepap (porridge). “And  if you  are still hungry  and  love  fish,  well,  there’s always lots of that available!” says Gavin.

Written by Tertia Slabbert

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