07/08/2025
🐟 The Last Fishermen of England
Along the pebbled shores of Hastings, fishermen still launch their boats by hand — no harbour, no engines, just the tide and timing guiding their way. This is one of the last remaining beach-launched fleets in the world, a tradition passed down through generations, rooted in resilience and a deep understanding of the sea.
It reminds me of similar scenes from the Baltic coast near my hometown — places like Międzyzdroje — where the sea shapes not just the landscape, but the lives and stories of those who live by it. As someone born close to the Baltic Sea, I’ve always been fascinated by coastal towns and the unique relationship their people have with the water.
This isn’t about nostalgia or sentimentality. It’s about recognizing the real value of these traditions — living history and community, constantly adapting yet holding on to the past in meaningful ways.
Hastings fishermen face modern challenges, from the harshness of nature to economic pressures, yet their craft remains a powerful symbol of endurance and identity.
🌊⚓
1st PICTURE: John Cole
Dean Brooker out at sea. 1991
