Seaworthy: A Swordboat Captain Returns to the Sea

"Swordfish are the most interesting creatures!" Even if this statement seems arguable to you, if you are looking for an adventure story worthy of your attention, Linda Greenlaw has written, Seaworthy: A Swordboat Captain Returns to the Sea. The author shares her adventure in a voice so authentic you feel as if you are sitting on a porch with her, together drinking in the aroma of saltwater air on the New England coast. Both a seasoned commercial fishing boat captain and writer, Greenlaw matter-of-factly reveals her intriguing story of a 47-year-old woman and her crew of four men heading to the North Atlantic in an old boat that is fraught with problems. The world's only female swordfish boat captain, Greenlaw had settled on an idyllic, if not lucrative, life on an island in Maine to write and trap lobster. However, when she was given the opportunity to head up a longline fishing expedition, she did not hesitate to get on board. You don't need to like to fish or be on the ocean to appreciate this book, for Greenlaw's technical sailing and fishing language is easy to understand. I liked the fact that she shares plenty of reflections on both her confidence and fears related to this undertaking. There are more twists and turns to this story than a flopping fish on the deck of a sailing vessel--and plenty of memorable lines, like this quotable quote: "Age, like gender, is only a problem if it's allowed to be." As a political note: U.S. North Atlantic swordfish population levels have been restored to high levels and over-fishing is not currently an issue. Greenlaw portrays with sensitivity the account of capturing, killing and transporting swordfish, so that consumers can have this delicacy. She mentions the controversies--from "slaughtering innocent fish" and mercury in swordfish meat to accusations of depletion of this natural resource. But her work means much more to her than a paycheck. Through Greenlaw's eyes, I came to know that the swordfish is, indeed, a most interesting character, as is she. by Martha Meacham for Story Circle Book Reviews reviewing books by, for, and about women

Another good one from Linda Greenlaw. If you like tales of the sea, welcome aboard. She can really tell a story, and her fishing companions are well drawn. Her descriptions are usually lively, although sometimes too detailed for nonfisherfolk like me, and she can keep the suspense going. I give this four stars mostly because there's a difference between writing that is vivid and writing that is Bulwer-Lytton awful, and occasionally she sails over the line (with no indication that she's engaged in parody). This is especially so at the beginning of some chapters. "Darkness waded in cautiously and headed west. Hesitating waist-deep, then plunging into the murky chill, the diving night splashed light onto the opposite horizon, which swam like spawning salmon up the riverlike sky. The sun hatched as if it were a baby chick, pecking from within the shell until fully risen...." And my favorite: "Ripe and one sliver shy of full, the cantaloupe moon shone a flashlight beam along our path as we steamed east through the Gulf of Maine." Block that metaphor! Such quibbles aside, "Seaworthy" is a good read. I have read all Greenlaw's books except the cookbook she wrote with her mother, and find her "true" tales the best. There's a reason for those quotes around "true," though. Was she really as innocent of wrongdoing as she claims? By the end, I was not quite convinced. And after all, she has already told us that all fishermen are liars.

Linda Greenlaw has been called one of the best captains on the entire east coast; beyond that she is also one of the most interesting authors. She is the only female sword boat captain and gained her fame from the book and movie `The Perfect Storm'. With her most recent book she tells of returning to sword fishing in a somewhat questionable boat. She spends much time musing on her aging and how different she is than on her last trip out to the open sea. She also questions herself, and attitudes, but proves worthy of the challenges on a problem laden voyage. She is even arrested by Canadian authorities for illegal fishing in their waters. Some have questioned whether it was done intentionally to get publicity for this upcoming manuscript. In my opinion - no, but read and judge for yourself. Her explanations of commercial fishing and seamanship, working on an ocean going fishing boat are technical, but explained well enough that almost any landlubber could understand and be interested in. She tells of the fascinating habits of the swordfish and their monogamous life - so much so that at times a mate will follow a partner who has died on the hook to the surface, in what seems like a suicidal gesture. This is a story that tells of good old fashioned work and values, the call of the sea and a challenge somewhat akin to gambling, except with these adventures you are gambling with your life and those of your crew. Her books are always a treat. Those who enjoy the sea, fishing or simply a good adventure story would indeed enjoy this and her other books.

Another great swordfishing boat from Ms. Greenlaw> Finished it in 3 days, now I'm ready for the next one. Linda Greenlaw, I know where you went with Archie. Another book should be started. I personally have greatly enjoyed Ms. Greenlaw's writings since "The Hungry Ocean". Since reading Sebastian Jungr's "The Perfect Storm" I've been hooked on her writings. I envision Linda's volumes to be put in a collection, a bound volume or collection of fishing stories. I guess the fisherman in me keeps me always interested. Her writing style keeps one unable to put the book down for long. I cen't give much away about it. There are many people who would be intersted in this book. Whether a hard bound book, an audio volume, or a kindle version, please dont miss the chance. If your a fan of her writings, dont get behind by missing this. There are highs and lows, good weather, bad weather, good fidshing, bad fishing. Also she acknowledges clearly that no fishers are atheists, even if it takes a near death storm to elicit fishermen's prayers. <br />The Canadian Maritime Authoritires; Ripped her off. Check it out, you'll see. <br /> <br />Thanks for another great one.

By age 47 Linda Greenlaw had led a life that by any counts would seem like two lifetimes to the average person. Average is something Greenlaw is not. Made the only female captain of a swordfishing boat at age 24, she retains that status and has earned the accolade from Sebastian Junger, author of THE PERFECT STORM, in which she is featured as "one of the best captains, period, on the entire east coast." She was 29 in 1991 as she and her crew set out for the Grand Banks in the face of one of the deadliest winter storms in history that caught her and her companion boats in the deadly North Atlantic. She never could have dreamed that nearly 20 years later, she would find herself in a completely different kind of adventure --- one of a legal nature --- when she hit the sea. Greenlaw had continued deep water fishing until 1997, but the scarcity of swordfish in the North Atlantic forced fishermen to seek alternative income sources, so she bought her own boat and turned to lobstering. This brought about a more land-based life, so she purchased a home off the coast of Maine on tiny Isle au Haut and took a foster daughter under her wing. In her spare time she wrote five books, two of them hitting the New York Times bestseller lists. Between setting and hauling lobster traps and family responsibilities, she traveled on book tours and made personal appearances. After 10 years, she began to hear the siren call of deep water fishing as newly minted rules governing the once free-for-all deep water fishing industry brought about a resurgence of the Atlantic swordfish population. This wily predator, whose only natural underwater enemy was the shark, had fought its way back, and its human hunters were returning to the North Banks in search of this popular delicacy and formidable challenger to their skills. By then, Greenlaw's world was safe, quiet, predictable, even humdrum, so when an old friend who owned a fleet of boats called to say, "I need a swordfish captain for this season, Linda. Will you do it?" she caved. With little time to hire a crew and re-fit the Sea Hawk to make it seaworthy, they were soon headed for the Grand Banks off the coast of Newfoundland. Within three weeks, she found herself being escorted by the Canadian Coast Guard to a Newfoundland port, booked and placed behind bars, wondering if perhaps she might have picked more adventure than she had bargained for. The title of the book, SEAWORTHY, applies equally to Greenlaw and to the creaking boat Sea Hawk. She knew she was a little out of shape, because the difference between hauling lobster traps off the Maine coast and setting 40 miles of lines in the stormy North Atlantic brought that fact home immediately. She quickly restored her skills and was fit and sound within a few days. The Sea Hawk was not. Soon to acquire a much less romantic, non-nautical name by her motley but hardworking crew, the bucket of rusty parts and wheezing engines tempted almost all of them to jump ship each time