Joys of being a Skipper

Having been an owner / skipper of various charter boats for the past 25 years, I feel now it is time to get my own back on many of the different things I have had to put up with from my customers. The most common: "You have an easy job" Yes, great on a sunny day with flat sea. Come back in the winter when there is the annual job of scraping barnacles, rubbing down paintwork re-coating anti foul, etc. From the time he gets up in the morning the skipper is concentrating on all sorts of things. " What is the forecast? " Is it reliable? " What will the tide be doing? " Where are the fish likely to be? " Will the group all turn up on time?
Then it's down to the boat to do the daily checks, sort bait out, sort rods out, fill water container up. Then a cup of coffee while you wait for customers. Customers arrive for the day's fishing.
Oh dear he has only got tee shirt and shorts on, forecast is bright sun early then rain later. He looks as though he has been on the beer all night, and is even opening a can now, make sure he does not go into wheelhouse. He has a bucket of Leads and a big tackle box. He won't catch anything. This one knows more than me about the local fishing, another one not going to catch
"Good morning skip, are we going to the same spot as we did last year and Joe caught that big Cod?" Since that trip I have had umpteen trips and hundreds of customers, so I smile, and say you will be trying somewhere different.
Right, we are now at my chosen spot. Which way is the tide running, how much wind is there and what effect is it going to have on the boat when I place the anchor? Tell the punters what we are likely to catch and what type of tackle to use. Why don't the 'experts' listen to the skipper? Everyone starts fishing. Joe, who took notice of the skipper, is out-fishing expert 4 to 1 You are planning what to do if fishing is slow. Can I find better tide at spot x. Are there more likely to be better fish elsewhere. Will fish feed better when tide turns. Oh dear Joe at the front is tangling up with everyone else, get him to put on heavier lead, if he has one in that big bucket. Why come out on a boat and try to cast as far away from the boat as possible. Kettle boiling better make tea.
Then the questions. How big is the engine (4 foot 6 x 3 foot) what does a boat like this cost? How long have you been doing this, what is the best fish you have caught (73 lb tuna) What did you have for breakfast?
Time to return to harbour. Land passengers then scrub boat down, put gear away, fill up with fuel. Shut sea-cocks etc. and go home. Looking forward to another nice easy day tomorrow in the force 6 that is threatened by the met office.
Why won't they listen and take my advice to cancel?

Christine Anne is a sea fishing charter boat running out of West Bay in Dorset. Tony takes out sea anglers for reef and Mackerel fishing trips, also runs sightseeing trips along the Jurassic Coast.
The boat is licensed for 8 passengers and 2 crew. Carries all the safety equipment required under the Code of Practice grade 4 (20 miles from base)
Tony is one of very few full time experienced skippers at West Bay and can be contacted via the website http://www.westbayfishing.net or by mobile on 07836 711828