Tragedy at sea
A few months ago some good friends of mine recommended a fresh fish delivery company called Pesky fish.
Every morning at around 8 am I receive an email with today’s market of fresh fish caught. This is so popular that by 8-10 most of the catch is sold out. I especially enjoy the plump and succulent scallops.
Last night to my surprise I received an email from them not to advise me of the market but tragically their boat Joanna C had sunk off Newhaven with two perished at sea.
To die at sea is such a sad way to go.
The perished are away from their loved ones.
It reminded me of a poem by Gerald Manley Hopkins I vaguely remembered from school of fishermen’s wives waiting for their husbands’ safe return to land.
The sea that provides a living to then consumes the fishermen though in this tragedy one survived by hanging onto a buoy. At what stage do you abandon the rescue?
And what of the bravery of the RNLI volunteers who go to sea in all conditions or the local fishermen who assist them? Most days I walk in a Marina where there is a working port of fishermen and a RNLI station. When I make that walk today it will be with sadness in my step.
