# Trawler Questions
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [June 27, 2016, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481 "2016-06-27T00:17:02Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/41 "2016-06-27T17:55:07Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#):
>
> Any chance of your post-apocolyptic world allows the Panama Canal to remain functioning … 'cause an adventure to Easter Island sounds a lot cooler than Block Island … not to mention the transit through the canal itself, think of the drama … banks lined with headhunters … mutant Boa Constrictors … acid rain … pterodactyls … [shivers] …
Even if the Panama Canal is inoperable, they could take a boat to the Atlantic side of the canal, hike or drive across the isthmus, and get a new boat on the Pacific side. It sort of depends on how society collapses; will there be lots of ocean-going vessels lying around for the taking, and where?
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### Author:  [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/42 "2016-06-27T18:15:14Z")
I think any post-apocolyptic tale allows for a certain amount of “license” to bend the facts some … the OP is very wise to seek the actual truth, but there’s no reason to stick to them without exception … one must usually suspend GR went they pick up a science fiction novel, faster-than-light travel is a must.
Maybe the OP could take a day-long chartered fishing trip, talk up the Cap’t and crew, many would be more than happy to answer all your questions.
Hand-cranking lock gates open while rabid mangoes attack … riveting drama there I say
ETA: Easter Island is already spooky enough … that’s a great idea for the destination.
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### Author:  [@sbunny8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sbunny8)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/43 "2016-06-27T18:39:25Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#):
>
> Even if the Panama Canal is inoperable, they could take a boat to the Atlantic side of the canal, hike or drive across the isthmus, and get a new boat on the Pacific side. It sort of depends on how society collapses; will there be lots of ocean-going vessels lying around for the taking, and where?
That’s exactly what I was thinking. Hiking across and getting another boat is a lot more plausible than figuring out how to operate the locks, even if (and that’s a big if) all of them are functional.
The only other alternative I can think of is that there would be some kind of well-organized tribe with (a) engineers to keep the locks functional, and (b) an army of soldiers to defend the canal against sabotage. And since 99% of the shipping traffic would have disappeared, they’d have to charge a much much higher price for using the canal. Even if the “fee” was that boats going through to canal had to give up half their cargo plus offer half their crew into slavery, I still don’t see how it would be a profitable venture with only 1% of the normal traffic.
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/44 "2016-06-27T18:45:23Z")
I like the air of mystery associated with Easter Island also, it’s a good hook for the story. But traveling totally by sea isn’t really practical unless it’s a story requirement. I am assuming in this post apocalyptic world there are plenty of abandoned boats, and cars and trucks, so traveling overland across the US or across Panama and picking up a boat on the other side makes much more sense. I think the area south of the canal is an easier trek. Also, depending on the type of apocalypse the canal locks may be jammed up with large abandoned ships.
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### Author:  [@mumof4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mumof4)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/45 "2016-06-27T18:52:54Z")
> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> From New York City you would would run up Long Island Sound before going out in the open ocean to get to Block Island. It’s barely in the open ocean. But there would be a ferries docked out toward the end of Long Island and in Rhode Island and Massachusetts that are very close by. It’s so close to shore you could make multiple trips in smaller boats. Probably not part of your story, but there’s a Zedonk that lives on Block Island.
Thanks but characters are already on Liberty Island, it’s a Zombie Apocalypse so they have to be very careful where they head to. Less populated areas are better for my story.
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### Author:  [@mumof4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mumof4)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/46 "2016-06-27T18:54:41Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#):
>
> There are many issues with this scenario. First of all, the Ferry boats in NY harbor are not designed to be seaworthy. Any sort of storm and water would wash over the lower deck and it’s in great danger of swamping.
>
> If you got to Orient Point on Long Island, some of the ferries there might be able to handle an ocean voyage, but I have no idea what sort of range they have. And running a ship that size requires a trained crew.
>
> If this is for a book, you’re making needless work for yourself. Why Easter Island? Why not the Bahamas? Or Bermuda? Why not have the people start out from San Diego? Why 25 people?Why a trawler? Why not a sailboat (practically no fuel issues, and it’s pretty easy to learn how to sail one)? You’re the author; you can change things to fit.
Thanks it’s a Zombie Apocalypse so they have to be very careful where they head to. Less populated areas are better for my story so the areas such as Bahama’s, or Bermuda are too over populated. Thanks for the input and suggestions 🙂
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### Author:  [@mumof4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mumof4)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/47 "2016-06-27T18:55:47Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#):
>
> There are many issues with this scenario. First of all, the Ferry boats in NY harbor are not designed to be seaworthy. Any sort of storm and water would wash over the lower deck and it’s in great danger of swamping.
>
> If you got to Orient Point on Long Island, some of the ferries there might be able to handle an ocean voyage, but I have no idea what sort of range they have. And running a ship that size requires a trained crew.
>
> If this is for a book, you’re making needless work for yourself. Why Easter Island? Why not the Bahamas? Or Bermuda? Why not have the people start out from San Diego? Why 25 people?Why a trawler? Why not a sailboat (practically no fuel issues, and it’s pretty easy to learn how to sail one)? You’re the author; you can change things to fit.
Forgot to say, 25 is all that is left in the story until they met other survivors.
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### Author:  [@mumof4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mumof4)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/48 "2016-06-27T19:02:32Z")
> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> He’s talking about taking a ferry to Block Island now, certainly doable, it’s already the major mode for getting there. But there would be plenty of boats around New York City that can make it to the Caribbean islands instead. Assuming the Skipper has some experience it’s a pretty good ride down the coast to Florida, and then not that far to hop from island to island.
>
> **mumof4** , I don’t know what your story will be, but you seem to be focused on some minor points here. Given the need there will be plenty of boats capable of reaching plenty of islands. They’d be better off taking one or more pleasure yachts on a long trip than a commercial trawler. And for going the short distance to Block Island just use small recreational craft on as many trips as needed, it’s a short haul, I know plenty of people who have gone from Narragansett Bay to Block Island in small boats.
>
> All good points, there are tons of yachts, other boats, this is book 2 of a zombie Apocalypse, so everything is pretty much not easy to get to, due to the threats around them, I was - I am focused on a less populated area because of how little characters I have left. Not enough of them to make it factual enough to survive battling the millions of Zombies that would be in such vast populated areas. Hence why I wanted them to go to somewhere like Easter Island or now since inspecting the Maps more I found Block Island which has only 1,100 people on it, great place to relocate and start fresh. It’s off from the mainland, yet easy enough for the survivors to go to for supplies if they needed. Though the island seems from the research I’ve done, to be rather self sufficient, the appeal to Easter Island is still there however, and as I am the author I can change there location, nothing worse than picking up a book, reading it to find out that it’s filled with non factual stuff, I’d rather get my facts right than be all wishy washy and rubbish lol
>
> ETA: Is it ‘she’ - mumof4?
Yes woman not man 🙂
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### Author:  [@mumof4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mumof4)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/49 "2016-06-27T19:03:35Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#):
>
> Any chance of your post-apocolyptic world allows the Panama Canal to remain functioning … 'cause an adventure to Easter Island sounds a lot cooler than Block Island … not to mention the transit through the canal itself, think of the drama … banks lined with headhunters … mutant Boa Constrictors … acid rain … pterodactyls … [shivers] …
Yes anything is possible it is a fiction story after all 🙂 thanks for the input 🙂
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### Author:  [@mumof4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mumof4)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/50 "2016-06-27T19:05:23Z")
[quote=“Snnipe\_70E, post:38, topic:758481”]
> [@mumof4](#):
>
> Cool, again no idea of those hindering factors. Thank you so much for telling me. At least when I put this into the story now it will look a lot more factual.
> So just to get things right.
> It’s going by google around 5000 to 5500 miles from New York area to Easter Island your saying that will take roughly 20 days?
> How many times would they need to refuel?
> Any other suggestions on vessel instead of a trawler?
> When they set off which way should I say they are going, though that kind of thing can easily be avoided within the story.
> Yes it’s post-Apocalypse so those who originally would man the canal wouldn’t be there, it could have been left open if it’s a easier route to be taken?
> If you can think of anything else to assist with these facts please do let me know, thank you for your time and input it’s greatly appreciated :)[/QUOT
>
> You have a lot of Depends. Depends on how fast the trawler could go.
> Fuel would be diesel.
> I do not know how big the tanks on an ocean going trawler would be so I could not guess how often it would refuel or how long the fresh water would last.
>
> You can not just leave the cannel open so either the Cape of God Hope or South America. It will take an experienced sailor to make the south America route.
Thanks for the suggestions and input 🙂
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/51 "2016-06-27T19:12:22Z")
> [@mumof4](#):
>
> Yes woman not man 🙂
And you have four kids? I’m guessing you’re English-y from the ‘mum’ if that’s the case.
Anyway, good luck with your story, there’s a lot of room here to play with. Liberty Island as a starting point is a nice hook also, it has some sci-fi cred already. In case you don’t realize it, Liberty Island is very close to New Jersey, at times before dredging you walk there from the Jersey side. There aren’t likely to be big ships docked there, but small ones will be docked all around the mainland not far away to take the big trip.
However, it takes an expert sailor to make it out of New York Harbor through the Narrows to any point in the ocean. It’s may still be possible to take small craft through the Bronx river to Long Island Sound to get to Block Island or out to the open ocean for a trip. If they’re heading for Easter Island the Skipper would probably realize the canal may not be passable and want to be prepared to take the trip around the cape, something that a trawler or ferry may not be well suited for. I think they prefer to find Coast Guard cutters for any such long voyage, and still count on a long time for that much longer trip. I don’t know the mileage, but it could easily double if you can’t take the canal.
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### Author:  [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/52 "2016-06-27T19:15:38Z")
Please please, mama, can I be one of the survivors? Y’all are going to need a canine best friend along to figure out all the electronic stuff …
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### Author:  [@mumof4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mumof4)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/53 "2016-06-27T19:41:29Z")
> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> I like the air of mystery associated with Easter Island also, it’s a good hook for the story. But traveling totally by sea isn’t really practical unless it’s a story requirement. I am assuming in this post apocalyptic world there are plenty of abandoned boats, and cars and trucks, so traveling overland across the US or across Panama and picking up a boat on the other side makes much more sense. I think the area south of the canal is an easier trek. Also, depending on the type of apocalypse the canal locks may be jammed up with large abandoned ships.
Exactly, everything you’ve said is why I can’t just grab any old boat and trek across the seas. I have to make it as realistic as possible not just for my own personal interests here, but also because a lot of Apocalypse stories are so full of things that make the story bad, unrealistic things thrown in that are too far fetched, I’m very unique I like my story to be as factual as possible, it’s also a Zombie Apocalypse so they (The characters) have to be even more careful. Easter island would have been pretty cool, imagine the spookiness to that with the creepy stuff already on the Island. Unless I can get my survivors to Easter Island as believable as possible it now makes better sense to trek them to Block Island, thanks for all your input and suggestions 🙂
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### Author:  [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/54 "2016-06-27T19:43:07Z")
> [@Snnipe\_70E](#):
>
> You can not just leave the cannel open so either the Cape of God Hope or South America. It will take an experienced sailor to make the south America route.
Unlike the Panama Canal, the Suez Canal is at sea level. There are no lock gates to open or close. The Suez route is about 1300 miles shorter than the Cape of Good Hope route, but still much longer than the Cape Horn route.
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### Author:  [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/55 "2016-06-27T19:45:02Z")
> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> I like the air of mystery associated with Easter Island also, it’s a good hook for the story. But traveling totally by sea isn’t really practical unless it’s a story requirement. I am assuming in this post apocalyptic world there are plenty of abandoned boats, and cars and trucks, so traveling overland across the US or across Panama and picking up a boat on the other side makes much more sense. I think the area south of the canal is an easier trek. Also, depending on the type of apocalypse the canal locks may be jammed up with large abandoned ships.
There are normally dozens of ships waiting at either end of the Panama Canal for passage. If the crews are survivors and the ships are operational they would probably head off somewhere else, though. There’s a couple of highways and railroad tracks across the Isthmus, but if it’s a zombie apocalypse there are over a million people living immediately adjacent to the Canal.
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### Author:  [@mumof4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mumof4)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/56 "2016-06-27T19:45:33Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#):
>
> Please please, mama, can I be one of the survivors? Y’all are going to need a canine best friend along to figure out all the electronic stuff …
I don’t know if this is allowed or not but check out the first book, having a Canine Best Friend (Which I’m not sure if you were meant to have written that, as it implies Tooth) however it is not optional since my Zombies are DOGS yes your best friend is now a hungry devouring beast that eats humans 🙂 Check it out (If the url I post is allowed) This is book one and I’m currently writing book 2 🙂 I could write you in the book as another survivor however 🙂 Since you have electrical knowledge you’d be very handy 🙂
[https://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Dogs-SB-16-Ellie-Douglas-ebook/dp/B01GBUP70U/](https://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Dogs-SB-16-Ellie-Douglas-ebook/dp/B01GBUP70U/)
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### Author:  [@mumof4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mumof4)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/57 "2016-06-27T19:51:11Z")
> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> And you have four kids? I’m guessing you’re English-y from the ‘mum’ if that’s the case.
>
> Anyway, good luck with your story, there’s a lot of room here to play with. Liberty Island as a starting point is a nice hook also, it has some sci-fi cred already. In case you don’t realize it, Liberty Island is very close to New Jersey, at times before dredging you walk there from the Jersey side. There aren’t likely to be big ships docked there, but small ones will be docked all around the mainland not far away to take the big trip.
>
> However, it takes an expert sailor to make it out of New York Harbor through the Narrows to any point in the ocean. It’s may still be possible to take small craft through the Bronx river to Long Island Sound to get to Block Island or out to the open ocean for a trip. If they’re heading for Easter Island the Skipper would probably realize the canal may not be passable and want to be prepared to take the trip around the cape, something that a trawler or ferry may not be well suited for. I think they prefer to find Coast Guard cutters for any such long voyage, and still count on a long time for that much longer trip. I don’t know the mileage, but it could easily double if you can’t take the canal.
Your close, but I’m in New Zealand 🙂 and yes I have four children and a granddaughter 🙂
Currently the surviving members only have one skipper which is minimal to what he can do, ie he only drove (If that is what one calls it) the ferry boats between Manhattan and the surrounding islands. So I don’t think he could mast a larger ship, the other survivors don’t have experience or backgrounds and being book two they are already established with what they can and can’t do so changing that now would be very bad. I could get more survivors but then the story would just end up being bogged down by too many characters. All this information is so appreciated it gives me ideas for other stories 🙂 Thanks 🙂
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### Author:  [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/58 "2016-06-27T23:05:57Z")
Ordered - looks good - I’m sure all the posters here will appreciate this book in my hands. Zombie dog apocalypse … I love it …
I have skunk clothes from another message board … would a soldering-iron wielding mephit fit into your ideas of common-sense reality?
Now that I’ve an idea of the first volume … I’m _really_ liking your notion of the ferry boat captain piloting a big ocean-going trawler … high-jinx and prat-falls galore … let me throw in an alternative destination of somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle … get some voodoo thing going on San Lorenzo Island …
Can I use the cover photo for my FaceBook profile?
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### Author:  [@mumof4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mumof4)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/59 "2016-06-27T23:13:17Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#):
>
> Ordered - looks good - I’m sure all the posters here will appreciate this book in my hands. Zombie dog apocalypse … I love it …
>
> I have skunk clothes from another message board … would a soldering-iron wielding mephit fit into your ideas of common-sense reality? Anything is totally possible 🙂 send me a PM if your wanting to be a character 🙂 I can totally do that for you 🙂
>
> Now that I’ve an idea of the first volume … I’m _really_ liking your notion of the ferry boat captain piloting a big ocean-going trawler … high-jinx and prat-falls galore … let me throw in an alternative destination of somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle … get some voodoo thing going on San Lorenzo Island …
>
> Can I use the cover photo for my FaceBook profile?
Thank you 🙂 your going to enjoy the read I can’t wait to hear what you think 🙂 and yes of course you can use it on your facebook - add the link too and let me know your fb so I can add you 🙂 San Lorenzo Island - admitting I have to look that up as I’ve not heard of it lol sounds very interesting 🙂
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/60 "2016-06-27T23:42:41Z")
Land more than a dozen people on Easter Island and zombies will be the least of your problems. Google the history and ecology of the place. Anybody who lands there is going to starve, and right quickly. Pick any other island. Literally.
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