Second meeting
Posted by Andrew via Email at 11:20 AM, July 19, 2004
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| (C) Greenpeace/Roger Grace |
Bula (Hello) all,
It took us almost an hour driving in the Rainbow Warrior's Avon (boat) to find the two fishing ships because the swell was pretty high. It was like looking over moving hills of water. This also made it a rough ride. As soon as we got a visual on the two ships we saw them moving closer to each other.
Larger photo
The captain we had met yesterday, from the Win Full 6, was transferring back to his ship in an inflatable life raft from the larger longliner (the In Sung 88). It turns out the two captains are brothers, and they had just eaten lunch together. Unfortunately, I had missed my chance to join them.
The In Sung 88 steamed off after they got their life raft back, but the captain of the Win Full 6 waved us on board his ship. His name is Pyeong Gi Lee, though his crew likes to call him "Mr. Doo". Both he and the crew were very friendly. They were all very interested to know where our documentary will be shown. With the captain's permission we talked to the crew, and interviewed Railala, a Fijian local who has been a fisherman for seven years.
The crew told us that being a fisherman is not an easy job. They work 18 hours a day, don't see their families for weeks, and considering the hardship the pay is not attractive. Railala said that there are more fishing boats now then when he started as a fisherman, and he is concerned that now there are fewer fish. Before they used to go out at sea for only a week before returning to port with their hold full of fish. Now they stay at sea for three weeks to a month, and still there is no guarantee that they will return with a good catch.
The crew was surprised that I had kept my word to visit again, but like yesterday they were happy to see another Fijian out at sea. I brought them the Fijian cigarettes they had asked for yesterday, along with some apples. I told them about the work we're doing, and that we are headed to Kiribati. We farewelled on a happy note - with the captain smiling and me promising to visit the company's office when I get back home.
-- Lagi
