LIFE ON THE DOCKS OF SOINTULA

On a stormy night in June the top heavy purse seiner "Paige Marie" flips and turns up side down in the frigid waters of Mitchel Bay near Malcolm Island, British Columbia on her way to Alaska. Five crewmen and a twelve year old girl were rescued by a fishing boat in the same vicinity. There were no injuries reported. A power launch on the deck shifted in the 35 knot wind gusts and flipped the boat with no warning. It was towed in the up side down position to be righted by a crane then towed to the docks in Sointula. The crew worked feverishly to remove the remaining contents of the boat including the huge purse style net and the water logged provisions and clothing. After the clean up the crew chartered another boat to continue on to Alaska for the fishing season. We watched from the dock and admired the fortitude of these brave fisherman.