No, this is not another series of surf shots of Ted. Krysia happened to catch me here looking rather nimble! which is quite unusual these days. So I thought I'd use it as the start to this blog entry which is really about the life at the port in Imsouane and it's coexistence with surfers.
They are a busy lot these fishermen and as long as the swell isn't too big, they manoeuvre their way around the breaking waves as best they can to get to the open sea and the fishing grounds.
The surf at 'The Bay' breaks often or not, right at the mouth of the port, just at the end of the modern jetty. So while one sits and waits for a wave, a fishing boat will run for it in front of the next set to get to the calmer waters inside. This can be quite exciting and intimate as the small open boat full of people and catch, can pass almost at touching distance. It is also a good idea to get out of the way!!! The fishermen appear to be indifferent towards you until such times as you either need them, they have been known to save floundering beginners, or they need you!
The method for securing the fleet on dry land is manual and the captain pictured alongside me, did not hesitate to ask for support when it was needed. I am delighted to be involved and lucky not to have pulled a muscle or worse as I have completely thrown myself into the task at hand with an enthusiasm of a small child. Which is typical of me and I am lucky to escape uninjured.
So with a wooden pole front and back to lift and 6 or more men to pull, the full of catch boat and engine is slowly dragged up the ramp. Wahed, zuz, tleta and heave, and slowly the boat moves to its destination, safe amongst the mass of other craft high above the water line. That's about 12 men needed per landing and needless to say, as a boat approaches, helpers appear from the shadows.
Now should there not be any helpers in sight, the fishermen wait patiently until the word spreads onshore. There is still a swell at the waters edge and anyone who has ever landed a small craft at a jetty knows that this can be a dicey time. So all hands have to be at the shoreline waiting, before landing starts. To get the boat onto dry land is a priority before the back end can get swamped, making the boat even heavier.
So, Side by Side with time for a chat, these two cultures merge together through circumstance and affinity.
The Sea.
Imsouane at its best
No comments:
Post a Comment