Headin' Back Out

All the sea scallopers that came in yesterday headed right back out late this afternoon as soon as the wind laid down. Above is the Vila Nova do Corvo about to round Brant Point Lighthouse on her way out. And here is a shot of her steaming down the main channel-

And finally as she was passing the green light at the end of the east jetty-


I got a chance to talk with the captain of the sea scalloper, Beachcomber before they left this afternoon-


He told me that they were heading down to the vicinity of south channel to fish tonite. The south channel is about a six hour steam south east from here. He said there are plenty of scallops down there but they are on the small side. On March 15th a closed area off New Jersey called the Elephant Trunk is scheduled to open. The captain said he's going to leave the area he's been working lately and head down there. When a closed area is opened up, several boats fish it and do really well. This always drives the price paid to the fisherman way down.

I have noticed more and more Old Squaws (ducks) in and around the Boat Basin the past few weeks. Today I counted 7. I have never seen these ducks so close to land before. There were also the usual Eider Ducks, Mergansers, Black Ducks, Buffleheads and Loons to be seen in the Basin as well.

Today's High & Low Temps.
High 36.7 (unconfirmed)
Low 16.9

Finally Some Boats!

A few boats came in last night and this morning to finally break a long streak where there has been none here for a long time. The usual suspects, all three Vila Nova do Corvos and the little western rigged, Madi J. were here. But there was one boat I have never seen here before. Her name is Beachcomber-

At first I thought she was a Coast Guard boat with her orange markings. As I got a closer look, I found out she is a sea scalloper. Her home port is Key West, Florida! I wonder if she was originally a shrimp boat.

It was good to see these boats back here. It was getting rather quiet down around the docks lately although the Vila Nova do Corvo and the Rainmaker were in here for a brief stay this past Tuesday.

Here's a picture of the western rigged dragger, Rainmaker that blog reader, Barb shot this past Tuesday morning. Thanks for the great picture, Barb! Notice that her wheelhouse is encased in ice with the exception of the radar antenna-


Work on the new Children's Beach boat ramp is going along nicely. I was down at the site on Wednesday and noticed they were building the base and the sides of the new ramp. Next step should be the pouring of the concrete slabs. Here's a picture of the work thus far-

I'm thinking that the rate they are going on this project that they will have no problem meeting their deadline.

If you haven't been down around Grey Lady Marine lately, save yourself a trip. It is a mess. I compare it to a war zone. Work has almost come to a complete stop. Not sure what the hold up is.

Today's High & Low Temps.
High 36.7
Low 29.7

Nice Day To be On The Water

I took the above clip this morning from my scallop boat. It was a nice day to be out on the water. Warm and glassy calm. And there was a lot of scallops to be had.

Here's a shot of Brant Point Lighthouse in the early morning-


And here is a view of Town from the harbor-


This is the guy from the above video clip. Notice the gull on his bow waiting for fish and crabs that were caught in the dredges to be thrown to him-


This is the gull who rode along on my boat all morning. He was well fed-


Any pictures posted on this blog can be enlarged by clicking on them.

10 of us were out there today scalloping. I was able to get 4 bushels. Not bad for the end of February. I know a few guys got their full 5 bushel limit a few times this week. I noticed a fair amount of seed scallops out there today. The price paid to the fishermen is still holding at $17 per pound.