Side-knots, pick-ups and four-leggers

under the watchful eye of master net technician Geoff Davies, a few more meshed get added....
is it a side knot or pick-up?...
The first net mending course organised by Cornwall Fisheries Resource Centre proved a challenge for six students...

amongst those signed up for the course, ex fish-merchant and now boat owner Nick Howell (rear) is a picture of concentration...
Geoff Davies from South West Nets can't but help a wry smile as he checks out some mending from one of his students......
so a hands on approach is taken....
Waterford registered Mary Kate is back in Newlyn...
as another Stevenson boat puts her fish ashore....
and finally, the Jacoba, refit complete now has her scallop gear back aboard.

Bass boys

Ready for her passage up North....
Falmouth registered Benediction makes last minute adjustments to her bass rig.....
the Twilight has a crowd of boxes waiting to go aboard....
the Caroline sits alongside the quay while her sister ship, the Marie Clare is at sea

Latest Tamar class lifeboat en-route North....

View from the Ripple's wheelhouse as John and Mervyn pull the cover across the main hatch.
Last thing a crab sees from the pot as it boards the Intuition....
The Ronez from Exeter, rare to see a UK registered merchant vessel these day, is in Penzance Dy Dock for a paint-up.....
The very first Tamar class lifeboat 16-01, Peter and Lesley-Jane Nicholson takes on fuel before the delivery crew spend the night in Newlyn. She is due in Kilmore Quay, Ireland tomorrow before making her way North for slipway launch trials.....
under the watchful eye of the skipper the engineer takes on 1906 litres of fuel.....then its time to scrub up........
another high tide sees the harbour road alongside Penzance Dry Dock basin flooded

Fifteen months since the last trip.....

Little Pearl sets off for an evening shot of Cornish sardines......
while the Silver Dawn gets a blast on the slipway.....
while it's all hands to the pump - a wise precaution as the Marie Clare prepares to steam out for her first trip in fifteen months....
the engineer makes last minute checks down the engine room.....
as mate Juicy adjusts the starboard beam bridles....Skipper Billy Worth and the boys are about ready to let go the ends as the evening sun sets just after high water. Although she hasn't been to sea for over a year the boys will be back aboard the St George which is currently in Holland for repairs.

End of the neap tide, last of the netters...

One ton on board, and still more pig iron ballast waits on the quay for the Ripple......
as the Ajax discharges her trip of net fish.....
check out the cranning pole John has rigged as a temporary measure....
time to close the main hatch......and tuck the Ripple in for the night....
a few tools get passed aboard ready for tomorrow's jobs....as the moon rises over the Crystal Sea, still in port.....

back in the market the Ajax is landing....
alongside the Valhalla, Gary M and Huers....
coming out the fridge doorway.....
off go the Ajax's fish boxes....
as more are lifted out of the fishroom....
..stack 'em carefully......
and then get rid of the ice from the fishroom.....
followed by a brief chat....
and then ready for the next lift of boxes....
This is where they breed warp, the first photo ever of a warp's nest!lifted off for the Valhalla....
blue flashing lights!......

Busy

Currently, the swans and their cygnets are making regular visits to the harbour rather than Drift Dam a local resevoir which is their normal base....
after landing, its time for the beamer crew to overhaul their trawls - or, "gear before beer" as they say in the trade....
on the other quay, the Crystal Sea prepares to start her third trip - with well over 300 boxes from two short trips, boy David and crew must be well pleased with how their new boat is performing....

at the market another St Ives boat, Wayfarer makes ready for sea.

Heavy skies

With Xmas coming the newly arrived Crystal Sea makes her second landing.....
as heavy clouds hang in the early morning sky.