Chapter 9~ The Clock's Ticking
The announcement was made over the fleet radio that the season would be closing in 36 hours. Not only that but a change would be made. The old derby ways were over and from now on, an IFQ (Individual Fishing Quota) would be assigned to each boat. The new system was deemed safer and more reliable than the derby. For old salts like Northwestern and Lady Alaska, the news was devastating.
Lady Alaska knew the new system would put her and many smaller boats out of business but she knew she couldn't continue on in the industry for much longer anyway. The electrical problem didn't fix her failing eyesight and the aging ship learned she was going blind. She wouldn't deny she was scared but she would find a way to live with it. She didn't have any choice after all.
Northwestern was sad that the derby had ended. "It's been the way I've done things since I first came here in 1977." She said. "That long?" The cameraman asked. She nodded absently, turning her focus to the full pots of crab that were coming over the rail. "Damn, my tanks are stuffed and I would hate to dump all this back." She said. "We'll build a holding pen with the pots." Sig told her. She nodded. "That's risky, what if they die?" She asked. "Then we still have plenty in the tanks." He replied. She consented and the work commenced. Before long, 30,000 pounds were on sitting on deck, corralled in by the pots on all sides and a slight covering from the wind and waves that would wash over the sides.
"The derby's ending, might as well make the most of it." She said and set a course for Dutch. It was just as she arrived in port that the season was over. The processor was stunned at her catch. "Holy shit!" He exclaimed. "Damn bitch, you caught a lot of those fuckers." Northwestern laughed, not offended in the slightest by the processor's harsh language. Like her, he was an old salt and while she usually refrained from the harsh use of language, she didn't mind the sailor talk, he meant no harm by it.
Finding her berth at nightfall, Northwestern saw Lady Alaska next to her. Something was wrong with the older ship. She could hear Northwestern approaching but she was already blind in the low light. "North, is that you?" She asked. Northwestern nodded, a bit surprised by her friend's lack of attention. Her white hull usually stuck out like a beacon in the dark. She saw the mist in Alaska's eyes and understood. "You're going blind." She whispered. Alaska nodded. "Yes." She sighed. Northwestern nuzzled her and Alaska gave a weak purr.
Cornelia came over. "Congrats, you won the wager." She said. Northwestern had completely forgotten about the wager with everything that had happened this season. Cornelia handed her a wad of hundreds. "6 g's as promised." She said. Northwestern sighed, looking at Alaska. She knew her friend wouldn't be able to fish next year. Even if she wasn't put out of business by the new IFQ system her blindness prevented her from participating anyway.
Taking the wad from Cornelia she passed it to Alaska. "North, no I couldn't." Alaska said. "Go on, take it. You need it more than I do. You can use it to start a new life." Northwestern said. Sighing, Alaska took it from her. "Thank you North. Big Valley would be proud of you." She said. Smiling, Northwestern replied "I know he would."