***archive: trawlermen

"for being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned" Samuel Johnson

$Samuel Johnson said; “Going to sea is like going to prison, with a chance of drowning besides.” A view of Scarborough as The Allegiance begins its 36 hour journey to the fishing grounds, 200 miles into the North Sea.In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin.Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$50 years working the trawlers have taken their toll on the ships oldest crew member, 65 year old George. It’s an unusual type of person who decides to spend their life at sea - to reject coming home every night to spend gruelling weeks toling on a metal box. In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin.Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$The room the crew sleeps in is a porthole less, fetid little cell - like a Scarborough caravan which has been wet and fishy for 20 years and used as a changing room for the local rugby team. Fag stained plastic, wood grain-effect, laminated chipboard, vinyl and foam. A tiny wet room below the water line and next to the ships engine. Tim tries to make his bunk more comforting with pictures of his family and reading the local news.In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin.Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$Alcohol is forbidden on board The Allegiance fishing trawler. Litres of tea are drunk to relieve the boredom and provide a necessary caffeine boost.In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin.Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$Alcohol is forbidden on board The Allegiance fishing trawler. Litres of tea are drunk to relieve the boredom and provide a necessary caffeine boost.In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin.Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$Waterproof oilskins are the essential uniform of any one working on a fishing trawler, but must be removed when inside the boat. The kit is supplied and paid for by each individual trawlerman.In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin.Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$Gutting cod on board The Allegiance fishing trawler. The North Sea has become a rubbish tip and the crew attest to some of the unbelievable things they pull out including tins of blue paint tossed in by the big oil rigs, crisp packets and on one occasion, a heat seeking missile dumped by an American jet shortly after the 1st Gulf War.In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin.Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$The catch from eight hours fishing in a force nine storm is a disappointing size for the crew of The Allegiance, they can expect to make around only £80 each.In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin.Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$Tim, the quietest member of The Allegiance crew, repairs a net in 1999. The whole crew live on a four hour cycle that makes no distinction between day and night and means there is a permanent feeling of only just having got up.In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin. Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$The Allegiance toilet also doubles as the cooks larder. Urination is conducted directly into the sea with the lavatory reserved for solid deposits.In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin.Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$Once the nets are out, there\'s little for the crew of The Allegiance to do, except sleep, eat or, like new crew member Tom, watch the tiny TV in the cabin where the reception is often poor.In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin. Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$Medical supplies onbiard The Allegiance where injuries are common.In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin.Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$John Boy, a 22 year old geordie skinhead working on The Allegiance in 1999.In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin.Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$The Allegiance, a 60 foot lump of metal sits immovable in the calm of Scarborough harbour. It is one of only a handful of English trawlers left fishing the North Sea.In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin. Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$Mick in 1999 changes for work on board The Allegiance; Mick is considered the ship\'s comedian and worked on the trawlers for 24 years. In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of 5. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin. Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$Waterproof oilskins are the essential uniform of any one working on a fishing trawler, but must be removed when inside the boat. The kit is supplied and paid for by each individual fisherman.In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin.Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$John Boy, a 22 year old geordie skinhead in 1999 tucking into a hearty meal of meat, potatoes and veg in the kitchen on board The Allegiance. In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin.Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$John Boy, a 22 year old geordie skinhead onboard The Allegiance in 1999.In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin.Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$George relaxes in the eating area where the table has raised edges to stop the plates from slipping off. In 1999, George, 65, was the longest serving member of The Allegiance and has worked the trawlers since the age of 15. Also the ships cook, asked how he coped with cooking in a storm he replied: “You just make the gravy thicker.\{quote}In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin.Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$
$Tim onboard The Allegiance as it sets out from Scarborough to fish the North Sea.In 1999, Photojournalist Peter Dench spent five days onboard The Allegiance, a 60 foot UK Scarborough-based trawler, fishing the North Sea, with a crew of five. The future has since become extremely bleak for the English trawler men; huge areas of the North Sea have been declared \'off limits\' and fishing quotas have been slashed in an attempt to rescue dwindling North Sea stocks from the point of extinction. These measures have jeopardised the jobs of those in the industry and put dependent towns, like Scarborough, on the brink of ruin.Dench returned to The Allegiance in 2005 to be reunited with the crew and to find out how the decline of the North Sea fishing industry has affected their lives.$