In a First Person account, Maisie McNaughton, a deckhand on a lobster fishing vessel in Aldouane, N.B., recounted a harrowing experience at sea amidst turbulent weather conditions. Battling against a sou’easter, the waves grew increasingly choppy, prompting her mother’s spirited call to “drive ‘er like you stole ‘er!” Their lobster boat navigated the rough seas, with McNaughton finding solace in the decision to cut their fishing day short.
Sitting at the lunch table onboard, the situation took a perilous turn as they veered into a gully where opposing currents clashed, causing the boat to be violently jolted from the side. With her mother’s urgent warning to hold on, McNaughton clung to a metal pole as the boat pitched sideways, her feet lifted off the floor as the vessel teetered dangerously. Through her mother’s deft steering, they averted disaster and sailed toward the calmer Richibucto River, sharing a sense of relief and camaraderie in overcoming the ordeal.
Reflecting on the day’s events, McNaughton learned of a nearby boat sinking, underscoring the inherent dangers of their profession. Growing up in a maritime community, she acknowledged the resilience ingrained in her family, with her mother, Debbie Thompson, a trailblazing female lobster captain with over two decades of experience. McNaughton herself followed suit, becoming a deckhand under her mother’s tutelage.
Despite the male-dominated nature of the industry, McNaughton embraced her role, inspired by her mother’s determination in the face of skepticism and superstitions. Charting her own path in fishing, she found a sense of sanctity and awe in the ocean’s vastness and unpredictability, recognizing the dichotomy of its beauty and ruthlessness.
As she navigated the challenges and uncertainties of a fisherman’s life, McNaughton acknowledged the legacy of women like her mother who paved the way for future generations. With a shared bond of daring to brave the ocean daily, she looked ahead to more adventures, victories, and the possibility of one day captaining her own vessel in this perilous yet rewarding profession.