Local fishermen, mariners & residents were asked what the sea means to them. Here are some of their answers:-
“The sea feeds us, it entertains us and it excites us. It takes us to new countries to meet the rest of the world”.
“The sea is intriguing, if you make a mistake or don’t understand it, it will kill you. There is no hiding place from Mother Nature”.
“It’s a wilderness, a no man’s land but I like it for the freedom I feel, the quietness, the emptiness. All of your problems stay on the land, miles away”.
“Standing on the bow of a boat with nothing but the sea and the sky ahead of you, no land in sight is the most fantastic feeling of freedom I have felt”.
“I fear the sea as it is unpredictable. The sea moves under your feet, it’s barely believable you’re on the same planet”.
“The sea is a source of endless fascination. I love its mutability, its wide spectrum of colours and its varying moods. Living by the sea has brought me the deepest happiness of my life, a deep sense of well-being and serenity. The sea makes me feel I am where I should be”.
“The sea is a provider and an escape from hectic shore life. Coastal communities feel connected and watch the weather more closely”.
“The sea can be a cruel mistress but sunrises at sea, the northern and southern lights, bio luminescence, a perfect wake, a flat calm on a summer evening and being up close and personal with irresistible and untamable power are all some of the things I personally love about a life at sea”.
“My boat looks after me and stops my feet getting wet! A boat or a ship is ‘home’ to most seamen”.
“Moving in a slow rocking movement is soothing and makes life at sea pleasurable”.
“Being at sea you meet fascinating people whose stories you remember forever. You see spectacular sights, dolphins, large ships and extreme weather. You visit enigmatic ports from tiny harbours to giant maritime metropolises. You see different cultures”.
“My boat/ship, is a home from home and, more important, are the crew mates upon whom you have to totally rely. This helps form a bond I imagine similar to that experienced by miners or soldiers, forged in adversity. Once this has been created and you factor in the seemingly tangible character of each ship you have a work place unlike any other”.
“Coastal communities are open to vessels from anywhere in the world”.
“Nations have a 12 mile limit, outside of this national boundary remains one of earth’s last free spaces. Living in an island nation we too easily forget that in excess of 95% of everything we have is provided by access from the sea. In general most of the country is ‘Sea Blind’ because once ships and maritime industry are out of sight they are generally forgotten about by all those not directly involved with it”.
“A person has to live by the sea, or on it, for them to understand it”.
"Seafaring families are often separated for long periods and life can be quite difficult for those left at home”.
“Landlubbers complain of a 40 hour week, I laugh and think that’s an easy week”.
Thanks go to the following people:
Tom Rowley, Jim Spencer, Fred Normandale, Matt Newsome, Jennifer King.
