Trawler: A Journey Through the North Atlantic, by Redmond O’Hanlon

Few places on Earth match the danger of the wild waters off northern Scotland, where deep-sea trawlers brave treacherous conditions. This harsh setting becomes the perfect backdrop for a middle-aged writer who admits he "doesn't know his arse from his tit" when it comes to seamanship. In Trawler, O'Hanlon joins the crew of the Norlantean, led by a skilled but desperate captain who pushes on even through a raging hurricane.

Below deck, O'Hanlon spends his time sorting and gutting strange fish, but the real treasure of this book is its insight into the fishermen themselves. We meet characters like Luke, a brawny marine biologist who quickly bonds with O'Hanlon over their shared love of science and mutual sleep deprivation.

Their frenzied, sleep-deprived conversations form the heart of the book. At times, their chatter becomes almost nonsensical, but this perhaps best captures the reality of life in such a brutally cold and mind-numbing environment. Through O'Hanlon's vivid writing, readers can almost feel the icy spray and bone-deep exhaustion of life aboard a deep-sea trawler.

Trawler offers a raw, unfiltered glimpse into a world few of us will ever experience firsthand. O'Hanlon's witty, self-deprecating humor shines throughout, as he fumbles his way through the unfamiliar routines of life at sea. His willingness to poke fun at his own ineptitude not only lightens the mood but also highlights the incredible skill and resilience of the seasoned fishermen. It's a tale of danger, friendship, and the relentless human drive to push on against all odds.