The moment I’d been waiting for finally arrived. After being confined to the office due the cancellation of my last trip, I could not wait to set a foot on the Irvin & Johnson (I&J) fishing vessel the Forest Lily.
Bronwyn, the South African Albatross Task Force project leader accompanied me to the docks. She showed me around since it was my first time on this vessel, and by just looking at it I knew that I wouldn’t be getting sick this trip - it is an impressive large modern trawler. Of course, I was sick within the first hour of leaving port! The weather was not horrendous at all; it was just first day sea sickness as usual.
The crew was completely new to me, but once again arriving with Bronwyn has done wonders. Whenever I introduced myself the crew members commented “I thought that lady was coming, she’s the one who used to come on this vessel”. Even so, my trip started on a high note as I provided the first mate an Afrikaans edition of a seabird identification book. I also had an animated educational leaflet which demonstrates how to handle and release a trapped seabird.
The captain was pleased and requested more materials to keep on the bridge as well as on deck. He emphasized that it will be good for his crew to understand these procedures. It is good to see how aware he is of seabird issues.
The first and second day we had good fishing and nice weather. On my third day, I was delighted to find the sea like a “mirror’’ with seabirds drifting (mainly “Pintado” or Cape petrels). The excitement I felt was like the feeling I had when I first saw snow two years ago.
Judging from these first days I anticipated more of the same for the rest of my trip. However, my wishes were cut short on the following day, when the wind was roaring with rough swells and rain. It was almost like a rollercoaster ride, but much less comfortable!