A HAZARDOUS CALLING

Evening Star, Issue 22683, 24 June 1937, Page 18

A HAZARDOUS CALLING

WITH THE CRAYFISHING FLEET DANGERS OF BASS STRAIT Tn fair weather and foul flic men of the Hass Strait crayfishing fleet pursue their hazardous occupation among the treacherous reefs and off the rocky” shores of the islands of the Strait. Their lives are remarkable for the almost copiplote absence of the comforts and amenities that most of ns enjoy in varying measure (writes T. C. Dickson, in the Melbourne ‘Argus’). They know the Strait in all its moods, and they take their lives in their hands every time they go out into it. What manner of men are these who make possible the inclusion of lobster mayonnaise in Melbourne menus and without whom the essential ingredient of tho crayfish supper would he practically unprocurable? First, let us ask a few questions of ourselves. Do we shun discomfort? Are we easily beaten? Do we lack initiative? Are we afraid to take a risk? If the answer to any of these questions is “ Yes ” we can count ourselves unfit to man the little vessels that go forth to gather this harvest of the sea. The headquarters of most of the Bass Strait crayfishing fleet, now comprising about a dozen vessels, is at Port Welshpool, Corner Inlet, on the eastern side of Wilson’s Promontory. To enter and leave their home port with a strong southerly or south-easterly blowing requires the exercise of considerable skill by the skippers. In a varied collection of craft tho most popular type is the ketch of 70ft or 80ft overall length. Sturdily constructed to withstand tho stress of wind and sea, they are as hardy in their way as the men who man them. Into each vessel is built a well, to which the sea water has direct access. In this well the crayfish are placed when caught; they must be kept alive at all costs, not only until they are landed at Port Welshpool, but through their journey by land to the markets in Melbourne. Sometimes the crew, varying from two to five in number, includes tho owner. It is, however, a usual practice for tho owner not to accompany the vessel to sea, but to receive in return for his capital invested in the venture a percentage of the returns, the remainder being divided on a fixed basis between the skipper and the crew. When prices are low receipts are far from handsome. There is no bounty or other Government aid for the industry in lean times. IN ROCKY REEFS. One haunt of the crayfish is in the rocky reefs about Wilson’s Promontory, Flinders Island, and tho smaller islands that lie to the north and south of it, while sometimes operations extend as south ns the north-east coast of Tasmania. On arrival at the fishing grounds the craft anchors, to act as the base for operations, which are carried out with a smaller boat, or tender. This is a strongly-built open motor boat about 18ft long. At sea it is stowed on the deck of the larger boat. Though the sides of these tenders are built high to prevent the shipping of waves, it is on record that one. deep laden with tho day’s catch and in a heavy sea, dived into a wave and was immediately swamped. The two men on board were drowned. It is characteristic of the occupation that the skipper cannot choose a sheltered haven in which to anchor. Without moving water and air crayfish will die. The boat must therefore lie in a semi-exposed position with a running swell so that the movement will maintain the conditions necessary to prevent tho death and consequent loss of the catch stored in the well. We "landlubbers” like our night’s sleep. Our rest is disturbed if the wind causes the blind cord to tap on the window-pane or if our neighbour’s dog barks at the early morning milkman. How would we faro in a crayfishing ketch anchored in a running sea ? There is the unceasing movement of the boat, the creeking of bulkheads, the wash of the water against the ■ sides, the whine of the wind in the rigging. There is the risk, should a storm arise, of the anchor dragging while a hungry ke shore lies close astern like the jaws of a huge monster awaiting, its prey. So many of the Bass Strait boats have been lost that the risk is no longer acceptable to insurance companies. WEATHER RISKS. The reefs in which the crayfish live, too, are in the most exposed positions. Here the pots are baited and set. Each pot contains some tempting shark or leather jacket which has been caught by Sometimes rabbit is used. Unsuspecting, the crayfish enters to partake of. the morsel! Alas! he can find no exit. Later, with his fellowvictims, he is unceremoniously bundled into the tender, whence he is transferred to the well of the ketch. The pots are regularly visited and cleared until the well is full and all is ready for tho return to Port Welshpool. The weather does not suit itself to the convenience of the bravo men whp carry on this work. Ever present is the menace of treacherous submerged rcoks, of storm, and of engine breakdown. The danger of engine breakdown is real, because the motor-tender depends almost entirely on its engine. Should this fail, it is a heavy and unwieldy boat to handle with oars in the open sea. The larger vessel, too, though built primarily for sail, depends to a great extent on its auxiliary on-

ginc, which is an invaluable aid in the event of adverse winds or for getting in and out of harbour. Much could bo written of the resourcefulness of the men of the crayfishing fleet. One boat lost its propeller. A makeshift screw was fashioned from a block of wood, anti this served until a new propeller could be procured on return to the mainland. A broken carburettor tested the initiative of the crow of another boat. It would take more than that to beat these men. A new jet was improvised from the nipple of a primus stove, ant the engine was in commission again. Recently the Tasman, while at sea ott Rhoden'lsland, to the north of Flinders Island, suffered a broken rudder. With the aid of a temporary steering-gear the Tasman was brought safely to shelter. Working under the most difficult conditions under water, the crew unshipped the damaged rudder, a very heavy steel affair. Transport was found for it to Whitemark, the main settlement on Flinders Island, wheie it provided an unusual repair job for the blacksmith. The refitting of the rudder involved the beaching ot the ketch. SAVING THE CARGO. In the meantime 200 dozen crayfish for tho Melbourne * market were in danger of being lost. These had to be taken from tho well and put into the sea in pots, while word was sent to another boat operating off the northeast coast of Tasmania to come and relieve the Tasman of her catch. How ankiously the womenfolk ot these men await the return to port or the boats from their hazardous voyby the life they lead, it is a happy fact that a more warm-hearted, crenume body of men could not be Found. The few venturesome yachtsmen whom they meet in the strait they welcome not as amateur sailors, to be scoffed at, but as fellow men. of the sea. A gift of crayfish, for which they would not dream of accepting payment, is the practical expression of their friendship. They are, indeed, as o-enerous as is the sea itself to those who haVo the courage and the strength to go out and fight it. Like all sailors, they are fond of music Lying at their lonely anchorages in the islands of the strait, wireless has enabled them to draw upon the world’s music. If Melbourne programmes do not apjieal a small turn of the dial gives them Manila—or Moscow. And after all, with due respects to the music of the wind and tho sea, there is something soothing about the manmade variety when the clay’s work is clone.