The crewmen immediately dropped what they were doing and grabbed onto anything they could to brace themselves.
After the waves washed over the deck and drained through the scuppers, the crewmen once again threw themselves into the tense, frantic work of setting the traps.
Setting the Crab Traps is the most dangerous part of crabbing operations, accounting for a very high percentage of fatalities in the profession.
When the crewmen prepare to set a Crab Trap, they must face surging waves, biting winds, and a slippery deck.
The slightest misstep could send them plunging into the sea, swept away by the waves, or crushed by a heavy Crab Trap.
In harsh weather, the lurching of the boat also increases the difficulty and risk of setting the Crab Traps.
Furthermore, the Crab Traps themselves are inherently dangerous. They are typically very heavy, requiring several men to handle them.
