Fourteen fishermen from Lorient in Brittany found themselves having to be rescued off the west coast of Scotland last night after their vessel ran aground in gale-force winds.
Read the full story here >
I didn't realise that they came up to Scotland, but I suppose given the restrictions on fishing its no surprise that they have to travel far to make a living.
Fishing is a dangerous job at the best of times, and more difficult as a way of life with increased restrictions. Although in many instances these are for good ecological reasons to prevent overfishing, it does make the job more hazardous and less economically viable.
So the 14 crew of the Jack Abry II are safe and sound, thanks to the local coastguard which is also under threat as a consequence of proposed cuts. Which could make it even more dangerous yet for anyone at sea.
Fishing and the sea is of course something engrained in Celtic culture, whether the hebrides or Morbihan, and it has inspired a huge amount of music, and I thought today's tune would be along those lines.
Aux Sombres Héroes de l'Amer was Noir Désir's first hit in France, quite different from their harder-edged later songs, more in common perhaps with the Waterboys. It categorised them for a while as a band that performed sea songs (strange but true!) but they soon got past that.
Their troubled future was ahead of them, but the video is a wonderful piece of history.
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