Casting Out
A Sheepshead Bay native leaves shore for a day on a fishing boat.
The anchor rope at the bow of the Marilyn Jean IV.
Growing up in Sheepshead Bay, I was fascinated by the small group of men who fished in the waters off the southern tip of Brooklyn. I would often see their boats docked at the piers and wondered what it was like out on the open water. I live in Clinton Hill now, but when I return to my old neighborhood, I still see those fishermen.
So on a recent Saturday, I purchased a ticket to ride aboard the Marilyn Jean IV, a 70-foot boat that takes passengers out on twice-daily fishing trips in the Atlantic. We cast off from the bay and set out on the ocean. The din of the city fell away; Brooklyn turned into a mere speck on the horizon. These are the images of an afternoon aboard the boat.
Captain Tony. The captain is responsible for guiding the boat toward large pockets of fish.
Captain Tony. The captain is responsible for guiding the boat toward large pockets of fish.
Sonar equipment, used for locating fish, is housed in the boat’s bridge.
Sonar equipment, used for locating fish, is housed in the boat’s bridge.
Preparing bait for the fishing lines.
Preparing bait for the fishing lines.
The boat moves to a more densely populated area of fish.
The boat moves to a more densely populated area of fish.
Raphael, a shipmate, leans on the boat’s railing. Bob, a hobbyist fisherman and Wall Street bond broker, readies his hook.
Raphael, a shipmate, leans on the boat’s railing. Bob, a hobbyist fisherman and Wall Street bond broker, readies his hook.
Docked at Pier 6 on Sheepshead Bay.
Docked at Pier 6 on Sheepshead Bay.
A fisherman with his line out.
A fisherman with his line out.
Michael, the cook, prepares food in the galley for the crew and passengers.
Michael, the cook, prepares food in the galley for the crew and passengers.
Ocean Eagle V, a sister ship out of Sheepshead Bay.
Ocean Eagle V, a sister ship out of Sheepshead Bay.
Shipmate Tony holds up a deflating blowfish.
Shipmate Tony holds up a deflating blowfish.
A couple fishes off the side of the boat.
A couple fishes off the side of the boat.
A passenger’s illustration of Michael, given to him as a token of gratitude for his help throughout the day.
A passenger’s illustration of Michael, given to him as a token of gratitude for his help throughout the day.