Boat Stories
Interviewee Sort ascending | Collection | Description | Interviewer | Date of Interview | Location of Interview | Affiliation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wynn Gale | Boat Stories |
Wynn Gale is a lifelong resident of Darien, Georgia, and a fourth-generation fisherman. He began his career in commercial fishing at the age of twelve. Despite a brief attempt at a career in law enforcement, Gale returned to the fishing industry, following in the footsteps of his family who have only ever worked in fishing. Over the years, Gale has observed a significant decrease in the number of boats fishing in the area. He has also experienced the financial challenges of the industry, having had to sell his shrimp boat due to high dock rent and the lack of a crew. |
Jamekia Collins, Amber Chulawat | Darien, GA | Georgia Southern University, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant | |
Traci and Hinton Arnsdorff | Boat Stories |
Hinton and Traci Arnsdorff are a married couple who own and operate a home shrimping business. Hinton Arnsdorff has a long history with boats, having owned and operated many throughout his life. His first boat, the Bunny B, was a forty-foot vessel that he ran when he was about fifteen years old. After two years, he sold it and got the West Wind. He has also run the Grey Ghost, which he has had for over twenty years. Other boats he has run include the Notre Dame, which sunk off of Saint Katherines, and Ms. Kim, which sank off of Key West. |
Amber Chulawat, Sierra Sutton | Brunswick, GA | Georgia Southern University, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant | |
Thurmond and Marie Kern | Boat Stories |
Thurmond and Marie Kern are a married couple residing in Brunswick, Georgia. Thurmond has had a long history with shrimping and has owned several boats over the course of his life. His passion for fishing is evident in his inability to retire, leading him to purchase another boat, the Lady Raven, named after his granddaughter. Marie, while not directly involved in the fishing, has been a supportive partner throughout their journey. The couple has witnessed significant changes in the fishing industry and has concerns about its future in their area. |
Amber Chulawat, Sierra Sutton | Brunswick, GA | Georgia Southern University, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant | |
Robert Todd | Boat Stories |
Mr. Robert Todd focuses on the history of his family’s commercial fishermen legacy. He discusses the boats run and operated by members of the Todd/Sawyer family. He discusses his short film, Trawling Traditions, which covers some histories of commercial fishermen on the Georgia Coast. He also gives recommendations for the future of shrimping in Georgia. |
Yhambria Simmons, Kimberly Singley | Darien, GA | Georgia Southern University, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant | |
Robert Everson | Boat Stories |
Robert Everson is a seasoned fisherman from McIntosh County, Georgia, with a rich history in the fishing industry. His journey in the industry began with the help of his father, who also worked in the industry. Everson's early years were spent working on several boats in the Gulf of Mexico, starting as a striker and gradually gaining experience and skills. He also worked with his father out of Fort Myers, Florida, where they would embark on three-day trips to the Gulf of Mexico for shrimping. |
Kassidy Gunn, Freddy Lee | Townsend, GA | Georgia Southern University, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant | |
Morris Butler | Boat Stories |
Morris Butler is a seasoned shrimper from McIntosh County, Georgia. He has spent over forty years in the shrimping industry, working on various fishing vessels such as The Sundown, The Turning Point, The Thunderbolt, The Sea Walker, and The Four Ladies. His career in shrimping began at a young age, introduced to the industry by his father. Despite health issues forcing him into early retirement, Butler maintains a close relationship with the shrimping community, reflecting fondly on his experiences and the camaraderie among fellow shrimpers. |
Samantha Sheppard, Megan Bull | Belleville, GA | Georgia Southern University, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant | |
Michael Vernon | Boat Stories |
Michael Vernon is a seasoned fisherman based in Eulonia, Georgia. He has extensive experience working on various fishing vessels, having served on approximately ten to twelve boats throughout his career. Currently, he is the captain and partner on the Miss Doris, a position he has held for the past three years. Prior to this, he worked on the Golden Phase, one of the oldest boats in the county, for the longest duration. His experience spans from North Carolina to Key West, with stints on boats such as the Lady Denise, Megan Elaine, Daddy's Girl, and War Horse. |
Jennifer Sweeney Tookes | Eulonia, GA | Georgia Southern University, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant | |
Michael Sullivan | Boat Stories |
Michael Sullivan is a seasoned commercial fisherman based in Brunswick, Georgia. With a career spanning several decades, Sullivan has owned and operated multiple fishing vessels, including his most recent acquisition, a 60-foot research vessel previously owned by The Department of Natural Resources. Prior to this, he owned and operated The Flying Cloud, an 88-foot North Carolina built boat, which was one of the largest boats on the East Coast in terms of power and size when he purchased it in 1986. |
Jamekia Collins, Amber Chulawat | Brunswick, GA | Georgia Southern University, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant | |
Marty Collins | Boat Stories |
Marty Collins is a seasoned commercial fisherman with a rich history of working on fishing vessels. He began his career as a captain at the young age of sixteen and has since worked on numerous boats, including the Blackbeard and Cindy Marie. He has been with his current company for nine years and has spent the last four years on his current vessel, the Lady Denise, a 96-foot steel hull freezer boat. Prior to the Lady Denise, he worked on the fishing vessel Forgiven, which was named after the wife of the preacher he worked for. |
Samantha Sheppard, Megan Bull | Belleville, GA | Georgia Southern University, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant | |
Lindsey Parker | Boat Stories |
Lindsey Parker is a long-standing member of the commercial fishing community in Georgia. He has a rich history as a commercial fisherman and has been involved in various projects at the UGA Marine Extension. Over the years, he has captained several boats, including the Georgia Bulldog, the Morning Star, and the Southern Comfort. His career spans over 36 years, during which he has formed numerous friendships within the fishing community. Parker is known for his candidness and willingness to share his experiences and insights into the fishing industry. |
Samantha Sheppard, Megan Bull | Brunswick, GA | Georgia Southern University, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant |