SIGHTS
Sunlight reflecting on the water, darting fish below the surface, seagulls spiraling overhead, sea lions sunning on rocks in the harbor, a boat mast rising from the deck, radio antennas, a winch and wire coils, a sturdy railing, crates piled up, hooks and grapples hanging on the cabin wall, ladders and nets, coils of hose for cleaning fish and washing down the decks, an anchor held ready, a bar of floodlights, life vests in a tub, barrels of fuel lashed in place, raincoats and waterproof fishing gear hanging from hooks, narrow walkways, welded loops for fishing poles to slide into, a small barbeque, watertight doors to the inside, stackable or foldable chairs, a giant fish cooler with a hatch, cramped crew quarters, storage cubbies in every nook and cranny, a small galley kitchen (coolers or a fridge, economical counter space, fruit and vegetables held in nets for storage, knives and other cutlery, paper towels, a trash bin, a well-used cutting board, a small table, a sink, cupboards with locks, a marine stove), a closet-like bathroom (toilet, sink, a porthole for ventilation), an engine room (generators, tools, spare parts, refrigeration motors, the boat’s engine, coolant, wires, pressure gauges, a fire extinguisher), the wheelhouse or pilot house (holding a captain’s chair, gauges, rudder sticks or a wheel, a computer, sealed windows, fish finding equipment and radar, a speed gauge, a depth gauge, sonar, throttles, a call whistle, the intercom system, a coffee pot, maps and charts, a marine radio, switches for search lights, safety bars, storage cupboards), sleeping quarters (bunks, blankets, a light, a small storage closet, hooks)
SOUNDS
The engine firing up, waves slapping against the hull, the captain speaking over the intercom, boots squeaking on wet decks, the slap of fish being poured out of a net, the high-pitched whine of the winch drawing up a net, a lightweight storage bin sliding across the deck in bad weather, the creak of taut rope, the sputter of water as the propeller starts up, rain slashing at the boat, the rapid click of a reel quickly letting out line or the patterned click of a measured line release, metal pinging against metal as tools are tossed into a box, the hoot of an excited fisherman over the size of a catch, thunder booming, a seagull’s cry, the splash of fish jumping out of the water, the blast of air as a whale briefly surfaces, food being cooked in the galley, silverware scraping over plates, men shifting in their bunks, the sound of footsteps walking overhead
SMELLS
Fish guts, brine, gasoline fumes, motor oil and grease, sweat, body odor, cooking odors (hamburgers, barbecued chicken, fish in herbs and butter), coffee, beer
TASTES
Briny sea water, pan-fried fish and seafood, hot biscuits with butter, stew, grilled chicken, steak, hamburgers, salad, hot dogs, stir fry vegetables, potatoes, corn, porridge, omelets, water, pop, beer, coffee, alcoholic spirits (rum, whisky, etc.), hot chocolate, chocolate bars, chips, popcorn
TEXTURES AND SENSATIONS
Thick rubbery pants and raincoats, slippery fish, wet spray going down one’s collar, rain or hail pelting into one’s face, the heat of sunburn, coiled rope sliding through calloused hands, pain at being tossed about in a storm, being slammed against railings or barrels, throwing handfuls of slimy chum overboard, the accidental prick of a fish hook, smooth fishing line, the patter of water dripping onto one’s legs and feet when pulling a fish off a single line, a cool plunge into the water to escape the heat, water droplets dripping off one’s hair and running down the face, a hot mug in one’s hands after a rain-soaked shift
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF CONFLICT
Mechanical breakdowns
Overfishing leading to poor catches
An illness sweeping through the crew
A malfunctioning refrigeration unit causing one’s catch to spoil
Pirates (mostly in unpatrolled waters)
Stormy weather
Navigation equipment shorting out
Discovering a body floating in the water (alive or dead)
Bringing in a catch and finding something odd or disturbing in the net
Coming across debris from a shipwreck and needing to search for survivors
Having a crew member pass away while the boat is out to sea
PEOPLE COMMONLY FOUND HERE
A captain, coastguard officers, fishermen, the skipper
RELATED SETTINGS THAT MAY TIE IN WITH THIS ONE
Rural Volume: Beach, lighthouse, ocean, tropical island
Urban Volume: Marina
SETTING NOTES AND TIPS
While fishing boats will have basic similarities, the specialized equipment (such as the processing areas and refrigeration units) will vary depending on the type of catch and size of the boat. Commercial boats are bigger and will have more resources than a small, private fishing boat. The crew size will also fluctuate depending on the size of the operation.
SETTING DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
Hasan checked the radar one more time and then flicked off the lights. He stepped out of the pilothouse and crossed to the railing, taking a deep draw of the salt air. The quiet was almost absolute, save for the soft chug of the engine far below decks. The sea was in a rare calm, a perfect mirror of the full moon swimming along its surface. Just the right backdrop for a man’s long thoughts.
Techniques and Devices Used: Metaphor
Resulting Effects: Establishing mood