Sunday, May 27, 2012

Tour of Fishermen's Terminal


Ray Giometti, business manager of Fishermen's Terminal, gives us an early morning tour of the Terminal, which is a working marina. 





We climb the steps of the tower as far as the public is allowed without a guide, then Ray shows us the spiral staircase we will ascend one person at a time.










Nita

He tells us how, in the six years he has been at the marina, he has made many changes for the benefit of each of his customers.  Many of the boats spend several months in Alaska fishing, then return here to repair and prepare for the next fishing season.

One impressive fact I learn is that there are no fresh fish brought back.  In order to preserve and not bruise the meat, the fish are processed and frozen immediately.  They are sold in advance at an agreed on price.


Ray shares with us some fishing superstitions, many of which still persist today.  No boats go out on a Friday.  No one whistles on a boat.  No women on a boat.  No suitcases -- duffel bags only.  Hang coffee cups with the handles so that the cups appear to pour out, not in!






















One of the tasks for getting ready for the next season is mending the nets, and there is a yard next to the terminal building for this work.



Sewing


From the top of the tower we have a good view of the Seattle Fisherman's Memorial, which is dedicated to more than 675 local commercial fishermen and women lost at sea.


I notice in the photo that the Alaskan, has an overhang from her slip, and learn that it is allowed -- and is also profitable, as the boats pay per foot of length of boat, not length of slip.

We are very impressed with the history and the sights we see, and enjoy the character that the fishing vessels add to the marina.

Nice fish etched on glass block wall at entrance to the tower.



Find Willie's Tug seen from the tower viewing area.  Clue is to look to the right and upward from the Alaskan to see a beige bimini and dinghy, stern in, starboard tie.


Find Willie's Tug.  (The white boat left.)



Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   May 25, 2012

6 comments:

  1. Very interesting but if the memorial is dedicated to fishermen and fisherwomen how did they lose the women if they are not allowed on the boats?

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    1. That was then; this is now. :)

      You may know that Linda Greenlaw was captain of the Hannah Boden in "The Perfect Storm."

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  2. I do, have read lots about her and we have numerous women on Navy ships now too...just commenting on the "superstition"! ❤😊

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    1. Yeah, I caught the humor in your remark. I loved the book, but 'superstitiously' would not read it until we had taken delivery of Willie's Tug and cruised the very deep waters of the Gulf Islands. :)

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  3. Are you folks still gonna visit us next summer in the Chesapeake?

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    1. Herb is not sure if he will leave the boat here instead of trailering it back south. If we do take it home, we plan to definitely head your way next Summer. That would be a great trip.

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