F/V Dragon Lady - Lobs and Crabs on the High Seas

Point Judith, RI is a town where it still isn't weird to say that your husband, father, son or brother is commercial fisherman. My new buddy Alessandro, or "Sans" (which he calls himself in order to avoid confusing the ladies) is a lobsterman at the fresh age of 20. He hauls traps and cooks on his father's boat the F/V Dragon Lady. In a way Sans seems older than his years... I guess hauling traps and cranking cigarettes in the trenches of Georges Bank can have that affect on a person.

Sans and Nate. Note the T-Shirts in January.
Fishermen don't get cold 'cause they are tough muthafuckas.

Just the other day Captain Scott, owner of the F/V Dragon Lady actually invited me (me?me!) to board his fishing vessel and scope the winter Jonah Crab scene. 

Captain Scott: Lobsterman / Surfer Dude for LIFE.
Note the tan, he was most recently shredding waves in Mex.

GTFB Scoping Le Scene and generally getting in the way.

During the frosty months large commercial lobster boats like the F/V Dragon Lady stay a little closer to shore targeting Jonah Crabs. By a little closer to shore I still mean about 60 miles out there. These guys are tough as nails and cool as hell. Put it this way, if the apocalypse came down upon the earth I would REALLY want to be on their team. 

Nate loading up the totes.

Jonah crabs are not worth as much $ as lobster and they are more precious than lobs. They don't live as long once harvested from the water. Chefs like to use the picked leg and body meat of the Jonah Crab in salads, crab cakes, spring rolls and other crazy inventions.

Fall into their chamber and the Jonah Crabs will slowly eat you alive. No big deal.

ALL BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE TALENTED MOLLY SUGAR.


Check out her photography blog at:
http://sugarsketchworks.com/