| Random Chronicles "I Think We Lost Chris" |
| New Hampshire Writers |
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| From the creative mind of a New England fisherman comes... |
| Out Of Order Tales From The Sea by Billy |
We were unloading the boat from a successful safe 6 day trip when my skipper came running down the dock saying
"I think we just lost Chris" then reached for the VHF radio to listen in on the search. What?
My time with Chris Tobey will be remembered as good. He was a man of large stature, barreled with big shoulders
and dark hair. He owned many several boats of which I and a few others I know have bought. Treated more than
fair and his help offered allowed me great success with my "little red boat" know as F/V Almost (it was 22ft). His size
also lent a insight of the man's personality, he wasn't kept to port when others were, you see the man simply just
went fishing. Well known threw out the industry, regarded, regretted and sometimes not liked you always knew
where you stood with Chris and in his good company I will miss him as many others including those outside the
industry. We should all send good thoughts and energy to those on the path to closure now that's he's been
recovered.
The memories of young men clung to the warmth of a fire on Duck Island the night of their boat rolling over are
bitter sweet. A son shivering, facing the heat of fire as his father was lost nearby in the darkness. Without breath
or movement or anyway of knowing. It must have made for the coldest of lonely nights together those two young
men waiting their rescue could have shared. That agony I never wish to bare or cause others to suffer. Many of us
sadden by this tragedy none more than the boy who's father he spent the last few moments with in complete shock,
fear, separation and death. My job comes with known unfavorable results working on a sometimes violent surface
but it still hurts to lose those you know well and have shared a beer or two with.
"I think we just lost Chris" then reached for the VHF radio to listen in on the search. What?
My time with Chris Tobey will be remembered as good. He was a man of large stature, barreled with big shoulders
and dark hair. He owned many several boats of which I and a few others I know have bought. Treated more than
fair and his help offered allowed me great success with my "little red boat" know as F/V Almost (it was 22ft). His size
also lent a insight of the man's personality, he wasn't kept to port when others were, you see the man simply just
went fishing. Well known threw out the industry, regarded, regretted and sometimes not liked you always knew
where you stood with Chris and in his good company I will miss him as many others including those outside the
industry. We should all send good thoughts and energy to those on the path to closure now that's he's been
recovered.
The memories of young men clung to the warmth of a fire on Duck Island the night of their boat rolling over are
bitter sweet. A son shivering, facing the heat of fire as his father was lost nearby in the darkness. Without breath
or movement or anyway of knowing. It must have made for the coldest of lonely nights together those two young
men waiting their rescue could have shared. That agony I never wish to bare or cause others to suffer. Many of us
sadden by this tragedy none more than the boy who's father he spent the last few moments with in complete shock,
fear, separation and death. My job comes with known unfavorable results working on a sometimes violent surface
but it still hurts to lose those you know well and have shared a beer or two with.