Home > Documentary TV Show > Trawlermen

Trawlermen

2006

Seasons & Episodes

  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0

EP1 Series 4, Episode 1 Sep 09, 2009

On the Sunrise, skipper John Stephen Sr is in poor health, which casts a shadow over the boat's future and leads to a daring rescue after he collapses suddenly. Viewers will remember the second boat, New Dawn, from last year. Life for the crew has been blighted by tragedy, though, since then: not long after filming of the last series was completed, Filipino deckhand Reynaldo Benitez, aged just 28, was lost at sea. It was a devastating blow to the crew who, a year on, are still struggling to come to terms with their loss. For the young skipper, Chaz Bruce, it means a fight to regain his dented confidence.

EP2 Series 4, Episode 2 Sep 16, 2009

The cameras follows brothers working on the Fruitful Bough and the Rosebloom as they work in direct competition with one another. There are huge hauls of prawns, terrifying break downs, and one trawler has its net completely ripped away by a massive swell.

EP3 Series 4, Episode 3 Sep 23, 2009

A team goes extreme crabbing off the Outer Hebrides in the worst weather seen in the programme's four-year history. The Arcane's father-and-son team Charlie and Charles McBride owe the Government hundreds of thousands of pounds for illegally landing fish beyond their quota - prison looms if they fail to catch the fish they need to pay off their debts.
8.6| 0h30m| en
Synopsis

Trawlermen is a BBC television documentary programme focusing on the work of a number of trawler crews based in Peterhead and Fraserburgh. The programme is narrated by the actors Ken Stott and Peter Capaldi. Four series and a special have been broadcast, totalling 20 episodes. The first series of 5 episodes was first broadcast in 2006 and was stripped across 7.00pm on weekdays. A further 5 episodes were first aired in 2007, 6 in 2008 and a fourth series of 3 episodes in 2009. A special was broadcast in 2010. The TV stations Blighty, Dave and Watch all repeat some episodes from the programme.

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Reviews

WasAnnon Slow pace in the most part of the movie.
Cortechba Overrated
Micah Lloyd Excellent characters with emotional depth. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all enjoyed it...and me, too! Very good movie! You won't be disappointed.
Aneesa Wardle The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
richard-pike3 If you ever think you have a hard job then take a look at these men. The delight when things work out well vs. the concern when things go wrong. Top series, I saw the Amity II in port and she's not very big to be honest to be facing such seas. But it's the men that make the series. The hours they work, the conditions they face and yet still they manage to smile. From the disappointment of pulling the nets to find rocks or mud, to the joy of nets bulging with prawn and then the frustration of catching fish instead of prawn when your past your quota and face the ludicrous option of throwing back dead fish.This series is a perfect example of why it's called "fishing" and not "catching".
craigscrap2004 If you thought your job is tough, watch this. I think this series is a truly remarkable and fascinating insight into human endurance and bravery.The series follows a number of fishing (should I say trawling?) boats operating in the North Sea. After setting off you understand the unpredictable industry they work in: the weather of course but more so finding the right place to drop the nets. You witness the competition between boats, the rigours of fishing, the good catches and the bad catches. But most of all you admire the endeavour, tolerance and resilience of the men working on the boats, especially when catches are poor and their hard work isn't rewarded.The stark reality of working on such boats is clear: time away from family, hard physical labour for hours on end; and at times, precious little sleep. It is a credit to all who work on the boats that they can remain upbeat and tolerate such physical and mental duress. OK perhaps the cameras made them more cheerful, but if I had had just 2 hours sleep and worked for 12 hours catching and gutting fish, it would take more than a BBC cameraman to cheer me up! Later in the series, the boats land their catch and the crew look on eagerly as the unfathomable fish sellers get the best price they can. And it is great to see one skipper living it up in a swish restaurant enjoying his own catch! Next time you can't sleep because a neighbour has got on their washing machine, or you feel tired at work because you've been (like me) sitting at your desk for six hours; spare a thought for The Trawlermen who sleep and work so much less and more. And if you get the chance, watch this series in awe.
tom-edwards-3 I think the series gives a very real and interesting portrait of what its like to be a fisherman in Scotland today. I was amazed at the way the crew managed to keep so cheery with the lack of sleep and foul weather they have to endure on a daily basis. I was also struck by the way they are confronted with real perils, also on a daily basis - it makes for exciting viewing, but rather them than me!I recently gave a talk on the Scottish fishing industry to some university students. After my talk I showed them an episode from the series, as short of them all getting out on a fishing trip, i think these films show more about what its like out at sea than i could possibly convey with my dry presentation about quotas and days at sea and the like.I'm looking forward to seeing Jimmy and the other skippers again in the next series.Tom
brodie-bones Follow the adventures of the Amity II and the Fruitful Bough as they plough the North Sea in search of piscine delights. Lauded as *the most dangerous job in Britain*, this programme gives a great insight into the daily life of a modern day fisherman. Watch in awe as these brave guys battle the worst of conditions in search of the highly prized 'Scottish Langoustine'. In a fly on the wall documentary style, skippers Buchan and West and their crew talk us through the highs and lows of their expeditions upon the high sea. You can't help but come away from programme with a renewed respect for what it takes to get a fish or prawn onto your plate. Seafood will never be the same again! Go Jimmy and James (and Elvis)!! :O)