0:00:08 > 0:00:13It's the busiest waterway in the world.
0:00:13 > 0:00:14Come on, skipper!
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Get a move on. That way.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18A gateway to our nation.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Over 90% of the world's trade travels by sea.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24It's not just TVs and refrigerators, it's everything around us.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Protected by a multi-agency task force,
0:00:27 > 0:00:30it's a unique stretch of water.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33This is Warship Tyne, Warship Tyne, channel one-two, over.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34INAUDIBLE
0:00:35 > 0:00:38It's very difficult to police the Channel.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42To board every vessel is an impossible task.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44It's a place where swimmers
0:00:44 > 0:00:48and Sunday sailors fight for space with cruise liners...
0:00:50 > 0:00:52..and cargo ships.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55It's like trying to get across the M25 during rush hour.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58For some, the English Channel is their place of work.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02If my mum came out here and saw what I was doing up here,
0:01:02 > 0:01:04she'd tell me to get off straightaway.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06HE LAUGHS
0:01:06 > 0:01:08For others, it's a playground.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10Whoo-hoo!
0:01:11 > 0:01:13- ON RADIO:- This is rescue helicopter.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16But for those who venture on to its unpredictable waters...
0:01:16 > 0:01:20We're just going to assist the moving of the casualty now.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23- All controlled over lifeboat. - ..it can mean life or death.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Just drag him on to the boat!
0:01:28 > 0:01:31I hope my babies get to see this, and see what Daddy does for a living.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33HE LAUGHS
0:01:38 > 0:01:40Today on Channel Patrol...
0:01:40 > 0:01:43..lighthouse engineers battle a hurricane.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46You've got a 300-tonne light vessel doing one thing,
0:01:46 > 0:01:49a small motorboat doing another thing.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52Nice and easy. It's all about little adjustments.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56A trainee dock worker learns to drive a 400ft cargo crane.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03And competitive anglers go head-to-head in their quest
0:02:03 > 0:02:06to land one of the biggest fish in the Channel.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Wouldn't surprise me to see a 100lb conger come up, which is
0:02:09 > 0:02:11what really we are all after.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20The Channel is a vast maritime highway
0:02:20 > 0:02:24with up to 500 vessels in its waters at any one time.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31Everything from tiny dinghies to towering cargo ships.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34It's the lifeline that feeds the UK's economy.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41But it's a stretch of water that can also prove treacherous.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46As the German cargo freighter, the LT Cortesia, discovered
0:02:46 > 0:02:50when it hit a sandbank off the coast of Dover in 2008.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57Lighthouses and buoys have always played a vital role in guiding
0:02:57 > 0:02:59ships away from danger.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01And the task of maintaining them
0:03:01 > 0:03:05has long been the responsibility of the Trinity House Corporation.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Today, the crew of their flagship, the Galatea,
0:03:09 > 0:03:13is on its way to a light vessel, or floating lighthouse.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16It's been hit by another boat, and badly damaged.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19A lightship looks like a small ship with a lighthouse on top.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22So because of its size, you can see it very clearly
0:03:22 > 0:03:24from a long distance during the day,
0:03:24 > 0:03:26and because of its large light, you can
0:03:26 > 0:03:29see it from a longer distance during the night.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Basically, they're used to mark very dangerous areas.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38The vessel marks a sandbank, six miles off the Deal coast, in Kent.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44This is the navigation chart for Dover to North Foreland.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46Dover. There's North Foreland, up here.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50And this area here is the Goodwin Sands, which is one of the most
0:03:50 > 0:03:53treacherous areas around the country.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56The depths are constantly changing.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59The tidal streams are extremely fast.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01And basically, we need to keep people off them.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06Over the centuries, the shifting sands have wrecked
0:04:06 > 0:04:09Viking longships, galleons, yachts and liners.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15So that's why the lightship is here.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17As a major floating aid.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20To guard ships away from the Goodwin Sands.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26Problem is, the lightship has been hit by a vessel,
0:04:26 > 0:04:29and has a hole in it and it's taking water.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31So we need to get there, get on board, take a look
0:04:31 > 0:04:34and then work out how we are going to get this thing back to Harwich.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37Unfortunately, until we get on board,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40we don't know the extent of the damage.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43The plan is to tow the stricken light vessel into harbour
0:04:43 > 0:04:47for repair, leaving a temporary marker in its place.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51But being the motorway maintenance men of the sea can be
0:04:51 > 0:04:53a risky business.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55Taking a large vessel
0:04:55 > 0:04:58so close to the sandbanks poses its own dangers to the Galatea.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02If you imagine a buoy or a light vessel is marking a particular
0:05:02 > 0:05:04navigational hazard,
0:05:04 > 0:05:07then we have to go within that danger area,
0:05:07 > 0:05:10to attend that particular light vessel.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15Chief Officer Bob Culley is the third generation of his family to
0:05:15 > 0:05:17work for Trinity House.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Start off a safety brief.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24OK, chaps, you know it's been damaged.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28Not sure exactly what we're going to find until we get across there.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33My role as chief officer on the Galatea will be to take
0:05:33 > 0:05:36charge of the landing party, and once we get onto the light vessel,
0:05:36 > 0:05:40we can assess the situation, make dynamic risk assessments as we go,
0:05:40 > 0:05:44but the overall concern is the safety of my crew.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Good weather and calm seas are critical to the operation
0:05:48 > 0:05:50being carried out safely.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54But a storm is sweeping in from the Atlantic
0:05:54 > 0:05:57and closing in on the Channel.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01We're expecting the Hurricane Bertha on arrival,
0:06:01 > 0:06:03which doesn't bode too well.
0:06:03 > 0:06:08So the weather is a massive influence on our work and arrangements.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13This thing is taking on water, so we do need to get it in.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17So efficiency or speed is of the essence, really.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21But I'll be constantly monitoring the weather from up here.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23Before they can get the vessel ready to tow,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26the team has to get on board to assess the damage.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30Light vessels used to be permanently manned.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34But in 1954, the South Goodwin lightship was battered
0:06:34 > 0:06:39by brutal sees and sunk, tragically taking the lives of seven crew.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Since then, the decision has been made to leave them unmanned.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Today, the main residents are sea birds.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50The light vessel is a seagull's natural habitat,
0:06:50 > 0:06:55but we do have a bird scarer, which is meant to be a
0:06:55 > 0:06:59seagull in distress, which is meant to keep the birds off of the structure.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03But, um, with varying success.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08The already increasing swell means there's no time to hang around
0:07:08 > 0:07:09when boarding.
0:07:18 > 0:07:23There's usually under about an inch of bird line,
0:07:23 > 0:07:27and when you come across it in winter, and it's all been raining
0:07:27 > 0:07:31for a week, and you're slipping and sliding in it, oh, it's horrible stuff!
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Bob's first job is to check everything is fine with
0:07:38 > 0:07:39the light itself.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47It's one of 10,000 navigational aids that Trinity House oversee.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52This is the main lantern now, with the lenses that focus the light...
0:07:53 > 0:07:55..as she rotates.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58Cos it's the safety of the Channel, which we are out here to maintain.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00Safety navigation.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06Up here is the emergency light.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11If the main light fails, this one will kick in as backup.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15Having confirmed both lights are working fine, Bob and engineer Gwyn
0:08:15 > 0:08:18then begin their search to assess the damage to the hull.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21First thing to do is to open everything up,
0:08:21 > 0:08:23get some fresh air going through the accommodation
0:08:23 > 0:08:25and all the spaces that we will be entering.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28I'm wearing a personal gas detector,
0:08:28 > 0:08:31just in case there are pockets of gas.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35The search takes the team past the old living quarters.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41The vessel is divided into different watertight compartments with
0:08:41 > 0:08:43these doors.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46So that stops a lot of the water ingress.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59So, I'm paying particular attention to this compartment,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02as this is the most forward compartment.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05So when we take the vessel under tow, this is going to be
0:09:05 > 0:09:08exposed to any waves and tidal action.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13There's no obvious signs of any damage.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16I'm looking at all the strengtheners and stringers,
0:09:16 > 0:09:20see if there's any distortion anywhere, any discolouration from rust.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24All looks pretty good.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33As you can see from the light vessel drawings,
0:09:33 > 0:09:35we've done a thorough search in here.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38The accommodation, the machinery space area...checked.
0:09:38 > 0:09:43All the spaces inside, we found no damage, no water ingress.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52Satisfied that the main compartments are watertight, Bob and Gwyn
0:09:52 > 0:09:56check the front chamber, close to where they see the vessel was hit.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04- We've got water.- Oh, yeah.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10The light vessel was hit towards the bow, where the
0:10:10 > 0:10:12anchor chain passes through.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17And Bob needs to assess how much water it has taken on board.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20We'll get a surmountable pump sent across,
0:10:20 > 0:10:24and we can pump what's in here out,
0:10:24 > 0:10:26and we'll keep that on station,
0:10:26 > 0:10:30because once we get this under way, it's just going to get worse.
0:10:32 > 0:10:37Back on board the Galatea, Captain Wayne Durrans is closely monitoring the weather.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43Right, this one is actually stating gale warning, Thames Dover.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Rough, or very rough.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49So that's just backing up what I'm seeing and it's basically telling me
0:10:49 > 0:10:53that from 7am, that's going to continue for the next 24 hours.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59The wind has picked up to such an extent that the mission
0:10:59 > 0:11:01is in jeopardy.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05- Galatea.- This is bridge, go ahead.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08I can't get down there and have a perfectly good look
0:11:08 > 0:11:11with her pitching and rolling as she is.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15At the moment, I'm calling a stop to the operation.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19Can you now make your aim to see how we can make this thing more
0:11:19 > 0:11:21watertight, if necessary?
0:11:21 > 0:11:22OK, that's all received.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26We've aborted the mission
0:11:26 > 0:11:29because of the deteriorating weather conditions,
0:11:29 > 0:11:32so our secondary concern now is to try and shore it up
0:11:32 > 0:11:34and make it as watertight as possible,
0:11:34 > 0:11:38especially with the damage to the bow, which deems it a danger to tow.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41The bad weather has meant that the original plan to tow
0:11:41 > 0:11:44the lightship has had to be put on hold.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49So Bob and Gwyn decide to pump out as much water as possible
0:11:49 > 0:11:51to ensure it stays afloat.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54We can't pump it completely bone dry.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Once the weather calms down a little bit and it's
0:11:57 > 0:12:02more in our favour for the work to be done, I can have a closer look.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06The crew can only hope that their temporary fix will be enough
0:12:06 > 0:12:09to shore up the lightship against the incoming storm.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14For everyone using these waters,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17from cross-channel swimmers to huge cruise ships,
0:12:17 > 0:12:20the weather is the single biggest challenge to be faced.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27While the vast container ships are more equipped than many
0:12:27 > 0:12:30to cope, bad weather can still have a huge
0:12:30 > 0:12:34effect on the delivery of essential goods.
0:12:34 > 0:12:41A staggering 95% of all UK imports and exports travel by ship.
0:12:41 > 0:12:46In Southampton port alone, 30 cranes work day and night,
0:12:46 > 0:12:48unloading freight.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54And 22-year-old skilled technician Ryan Southwick
0:12:54 > 0:12:57is learning to fix them.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03But in order to do that, he has to learn how to drive them.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Today's an important day cos I've got my crane training.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Haven't driven a crane properly before.
0:13:09 > 0:13:10Um...
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Had a small play on them, but nothing too much.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20So we're going to have a little walk round the crane...
0:13:20 > 0:13:24Richard Bailey has over 20 years' experience as a crane operator
0:13:24 > 0:13:27and will train and assess Ryan over the next few days.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30The engineers need to be competent because they will be driving
0:13:30 > 0:13:33the cranes now and again. They won't be driving on the ship,
0:13:33 > 0:13:36but they will be driving to do little bits round the quay,
0:13:36 > 0:13:40if there's breakdowns, so they need to be able to understand how
0:13:40 > 0:13:42to drive the crane and to drive it safely.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46At the end of the training, Ryan will have to pass a crane
0:13:46 > 0:13:49driving test if he wants to become a qualified engineer.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51Anyone falls in the water, you've got your safety belt.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Pinning down position's up here.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57As an engineer, I have to be fixing them, otherwise it would be
0:13:57 > 0:14:00a bit like a car mechanic not being able to drive a car.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04The big challenge in driving the crane is to keep the spreader
0:14:04 > 0:14:07still and to land on the box.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10It's like the arcade game in the old amusements,
0:14:10 > 0:14:13where you're trying to pick a cuddly toy up out of the machine,
0:14:13 > 0:14:17and landing on one of those. It can be very difficult
0:14:17 > 0:14:20but we do generally win at the end of the day on this job!
0:14:20 > 0:14:22- We'll head on up the cab. - Yeah, all right.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26I think there'll be some pressure, learning to operate it and stuff
0:14:26 > 0:14:29because it is a big machine,
0:14:29 > 0:14:33but...it is a challenge, but...I'm sure it'll all go fine in the end.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39Ryan's heading 160ft up, to the heart of the crane.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43It's certainly not a job for anyone with a fear of heights.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46What we're going to start off to doing,
0:14:46 > 0:14:49is we're just going to be trolleying in and out for a little bit and
0:14:49 > 0:14:53the idea is to keep that spreader below us as steady as possible.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56It's like a pendulum, so what we're doing,
0:14:56 > 0:14:59when we're swinging, we're trying to catch up the pendulum, OK?
0:14:59 > 0:15:02So if you want to start trolleying out, we're high enough,
0:15:02 > 0:15:04we're at a safe height.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06So we're just catching it up, a little bit quicker,
0:15:06 > 0:15:09taking it off just a fraction. That's good.
0:15:09 > 0:15:14A delicate touch is essential to stop the spreader swinging around.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17Each crane weighs 1,300 tonnes, is 400ft tall
0:15:17 > 0:15:20and costs over £6 million.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23It's unsurprising that crane driving is considered
0:15:23 > 0:15:25one of the dock's elite jobs.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28Nice and easy, it's all about little adjustments.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32- Good. Now, go back the other way. - Aha.- We've got no box on there,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35so we don't have to worry about vans coming in underneath us.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- Quite sensitive, isn't it? - Oh, yeah, it's very jerky.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42It's not easy to get it right straightaway.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45'It can be very lonely, it's long hours on your own.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50'It's the most stressful job down here and it's the most responsible.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53'Without us driving the cranes, you wouldn't
0:15:53 > 0:15:57'get your goods in the shops and exporters wouldn't be very happy.'
0:15:58 > 0:16:00It's all about keeping it running,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03keeping that spreader running nicely.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06That's really good, you've got a nice position there.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10Start slowing down just a little bit now. That's it. A little bit more.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14Little bit more. As a fitter, you won't be required to...
0:16:14 > 0:16:17- No, put them on the boat. - Yeah, exactly.
0:16:17 > 0:16:18All you're doing is driving this safely,
0:16:18 > 0:16:20just getting the hang safely.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Ryan's hoping to join the 80 engineers who keep the cranes
0:16:23 > 0:16:28running day and night. But first, he has to pass his driving test.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32It's all about keeping that in control,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35so it's not swinging around.
0:16:35 > 0:16:36I think with a bit more practice,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39I'll pass the assessment quite easily. I think it'll be all right.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Very good. You're almost a natural.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45'It's gone very well today.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47'He's picking it up very quickly,
0:16:47 > 0:16:52'so at the moment I'm very pleased with him.' Looks good.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54It's very good so far, for your first go.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01In two days' time, Ryan's new-found skills will be put to the test.
0:17:11 > 0:17:16Stretching 350 miles from Land's End to the Straits of Dover,
0:17:16 > 0:17:20the Channel's waters constantly ebb and flow with moving vessels
0:17:20 > 0:17:21of every shape and size.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25All ships in the Dover Strait, this is the Dover coastguard.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32As well as the working world of cargo ships, tug boats, ferries
0:17:32 > 0:17:37and wind farms, it's also the UK's largest waterborne playground.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42Fishing has long been one of the UK's most popular pastimes,
0:17:42 > 0:17:44and off the coast of Weymouth,
0:17:44 > 0:17:47an annual epic big fish competition is in full flow.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55Over three days, up to 100 anglers are competing to catch one of
0:17:55 > 0:17:59the Channel's oldest and largest native fish, the mighty conger eel.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Ancient monsters of the sea,
0:18:03 > 0:18:07they are known for their aggressive, fighting nature.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10They can be a big fish.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12When it comes to competition fishing,
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- this is as tough as it gets. - That's a nice eel.
0:18:16 > 0:18:21And the glory goes to the skipper whose boat lands the heaviest eel.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23Whoo hoo!
0:18:25 > 0:18:29In the harbour, Paul Whittall is getting ready to set off.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Having been champion skipper five times before,
0:18:32 > 0:18:36he's hoping he can be crowned Top Boat once again.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39You'd think, by now, a captain wouldn't have to do this.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45Dizzy heights I've reached, scrubbing decks.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48But determined to beat Paul to the title this year
0:18:48 > 0:18:51is relative newcomer, Adrian Brown.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53There's no point being in the competition
0:18:53 > 0:18:54if you don't want to win it.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56Everyone's out there to beat Paul.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59We're skippers, it's a competition. So we all want to win.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01I know Adrian. Very nice gentleman.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04Relatively new to the game.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08He does take it quite seriously. However, he's got to beat me.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10And there's a phrase here that I like to bandy about,
0:19:10 > 0:19:13"You're good, but not that good."
0:19:14 > 0:19:18Hopefully for us it will be a good day, and a bad day for Paul.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23Under competition rules,
0:19:23 > 0:19:26the skippers themselves aren't allowed to fish.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Their skill is in placing their boat in the perfect position
0:19:29 > 0:19:31to land the biggest eels.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Of course, you do put quite a lot of preparation in,
0:19:35 > 0:19:40and there's stuff that goes on that maybe people don't kind of realise.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42And I know that the anglers will do the business,
0:19:42 > 0:19:46and it's up to me to give them the opportunity to do that.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48And if I don't get it all dead right,
0:19:48 > 0:19:52it's all a waste of time from their point of view because I've mucked up.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59The fishermen have 11 hours in which to catch eels and get back to shore.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03On the way out of the harbour,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06the skippers spot an opportunity to stock up on bait.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12These mackerel will be like catnip to the conger.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15Off we go, then. Ever onward.
0:20:20 > 0:20:25Conditions are perfect. This is as good as you're ever going to get.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29A flat calm sea. Loads of mackerel to start the day off.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33Lovely weather all day, sunshine.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35It couldn't actually be any better.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38Now, whether or not that will mean that the fish will bite
0:20:38 > 0:20:39is another matter.
0:20:39 > 0:20:44With 50 years' maritime experience, salt water runs in Paul's blood.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49My family apparently goes back to 1750, fishing here.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52We're one of the main original families.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55'You can tell a fisherman walking in town.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59'We're like wobbling, because our legs are bandy.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03'We can't do things on the land that normal people can do.'
0:21:03 > 0:21:07I can't stand on a ladder and put a light bulb in, cos I'd fall off,
0:21:07 > 0:21:08because nothing's moving.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14Paul's banking on his knowledge of this part of the Channel
0:21:14 > 0:21:17to give him the upper hand.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21We're going to a very big wreck called the Ancora, which was sunk
0:21:21 > 0:21:26in the Second World War. Aerial bombardment, very big wreck.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28And I'm hoping it might hold a big eel for us.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33Deep-water shipwrecks are the perfect place for conger eels
0:21:33 > 0:21:35to hunt and hide.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40There are at least 1,200 wrecks.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42All of these are numbers of shipwrecks,
0:21:42 > 0:21:44First and Second World War.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Because this is where the convoys used to run up and down the Channel,
0:21:47 > 0:21:50and they were hit by the submarines and aerial bombardment.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55The wrecks are falling apart now,
0:21:55 > 0:21:59they're just crumbling masses of old metal.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02And then if you've got weed and crustacea building up,
0:22:02 > 0:22:04then you're going to get fish attracted to it.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08If you fish just a little bit away from it, you'll catch nothing.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11But if you fish on it, then you'll catch plenty. In theory.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17Paul's rival, Adrian, may be less experienced,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20but his love of fishing goes back to childhood.
0:22:20 > 0:22:25'My dad took me fishing when I was five, and it carried on from then.'
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Once I'd caught my first fish off the beach, I was hooked.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32At the age of 35, Adrian took a bold step
0:22:32 > 0:22:34and changed his career for the love of the sea.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37I decided to take the plunge,
0:22:37 > 0:22:39leave the job I was doing as a carpenter,
0:22:39 > 0:22:41and become a charter skipper.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44'You know, I'm doing something I love doing, I'm passionate about.'
0:22:44 > 0:22:49Adrian named his boat after his dad, who inspired him to fish.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52'Unfortunately, he couldn't come fishing with me on my boat
0:22:52 > 0:22:55'when I first started, because he passed away.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57'And that is why the boat is called Al's Spirit,
0:22:57 > 0:22:59'because his name was Alan. So I named it in his memory.'
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Paul may be an old-timer, but he's using the latest
0:23:06 > 0:23:10seafaring technology to get his boat in the perfect place.
0:23:10 > 0:23:15We need to anchor 220 metres ahead of the wreck,
0:23:15 > 0:23:18so that we can drop the boat back,
0:23:18 > 0:23:21so I can get the boat to roughly 40 yards
0:23:21 > 0:23:23away from the wreck.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27So, we've worked out where we're going to put the anchor now.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33We're now going backwards. This is a technical term for reversing.
0:23:33 > 0:23:38And I need to do this to put us exactly where I'd like us to end up,
0:23:38 > 0:23:40going on my GPS unit.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42Over on Al's Spirit,
0:23:42 > 0:23:47Adrian has placed his boat over two wrecks, to get one up on Paul.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51You have to get up early to catch Paul out, that's for sure.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53But every dog has his day.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55It only takes one minute to hook up a big fish,
0:23:55 > 0:23:57and you've won the competition.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00So it could be anywhere. The sea is vast.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Away you go. Good luck.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07The experienced anglers on board both boats cast their lines.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13Well, we're about 20 miles out, down to the west of Weymouth.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16On two close wrecks,
0:24:16 > 0:24:18and conger bashing.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23You either like it or hate it. It's like Marmite.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27People think fishing is mad, cos you just spend all your day
0:24:27 > 0:24:30looking over the side of the boat, or looking into a lake.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33But, you know, it's an escape from work.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36It's now a waiting game for the monster fish.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44But in Southampton port, time is money
0:24:44 > 0:24:47when it comes to handling freight.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52Over 100 million tonnes of it are unloaded from container ships
0:24:52 > 0:24:55each year, and distributed across the UK.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Every extra hour a ship spends in port
0:24:59 > 0:25:03can affect the global supply chain, and each crane needs to handle
0:25:03 > 0:25:07at least 30 containers an hour to keep the flow of trade moving.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10- Are we ready for this?- Yep.- Good.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14It's the day of skilled technician Ryan's crane driving test.
0:25:17 > 0:25:22OK, if you want to start telling me what you're looking for, please?
0:25:22 > 0:25:26Yeah, just looking out for any obstacles in between the wheels.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28'I'm feeling quite confident.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30'Obviously there's a few nerves - nothing too bad, though.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33'I need to pass the test today, cos otherwise it's going to
0:25:33 > 0:25:34'set me back on my training.'
0:25:35 > 0:25:38So failure's not an option.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41So far, it looks like Ryan is feeling confident.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44'It's a very big day for Ryan.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48'He needs to be able to drive the crane to a safe standard.'
0:25:48 > 0:25:50OK, if you want to talk me through
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- the cabin text then, please, Ryan. - Right, um...
0:25:53 > 0:25:57'And it's probably his most important day on the job.'
0:25:58 > 0:26:00OK. When you're ready,
0:26:00 > 0:26:03I want you to pick up the box in lane three, please.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05Lock onto it, and I'll let you know after that.
0:26:05 > 0:26:06All right, OK.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14Once you've locked onto it, I want you to take it out on the end of
0:26:14 > 0:26:16the boom, stop, and we're going
0:26:16 > 0:26:19- to put it back into lane two, please.- All right.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41OK, it's far enough out on the boom.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49- And drop it back into lane two. - Right.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58Now for crunch time.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Ryan needs to carefully manoeuvre the container
0:27:01 > 0:27:03next to another one, without touching it.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11CRASH
0:27:11 > 0:27:13- RYAN LAUGHS NERVOUSLY - Mmm, dear...
0:27:13 > 0:27:16In crane driving terms, he's committed a major no-no.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Crashing the boxes together could mean
0:27:18 > 0:27:23thousands of pounds of damage to the container and its contents.
0:27:23 > 0:27:24Landed on the box brilliantly,
0:27:24 > 0:27:27'picked it up nicely without snatching it,'
0:27:27 > 0:27:29and you've just come across a little bit too quickly,
0:27:29 > 0:27:34lost a little bit of control, and he overshot lane two
0:27:34 > 0:27:35and hit the box in lane three.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40I was very disappointed for Ryan, to be honest.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42'He started off very well.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45'He's got to be in complete control.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47If he'd have just slowed down a little bit, a bit more steady,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50he would have been fine.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52OK, Ryan. That's the end of the assessment.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54- We'll head off back towards the classroom.- OK.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58Ryan's clanger may have put his chance of qualifying in doubt.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01I think Ryan was a little bit nervous.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03He's driven a lot better in training.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06It's going to be a tough decision for myself.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08I'm going to have to think about this one.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11If you want to grab yourself a coffee, I just want to have a chat
0:28:11 > 0:28:14- with Peter about a little bit of an incident.- OK.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18Richard needs to consider the safety of the workers
0:28:18 > 0:28:22on the ground, and Ryan's ability to control the crane,
0:28:22 > 0:28:26and has decided he needs to get a second opinion.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28He must be having a big chat.
0:28:29 > 0:28:30It can't be good, though.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37- OK, are you ready? We'll go and have a word in the classroom.- OK.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42RYAN SIGHS
0:28:44 > 0:28:49- Halfway through the assessment, you lost a little bit of control.- Mmm.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52Unfortunately I can't pass you today.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54I'm going to have to give you another day,
0:28:54 > 0:28:55and we'll have to do the assessment again.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59You know how to drive those cranes. If it wasn't for your nerves today,
0:28:59 > 0:29:01you would have sailed past this test.
0:29:01 > 0:29:02Yep.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05'I can see why he wouldn't be able to pass me for that.'
0:29:05 > 0:29:08But it's the first time it's happened throughout the whole thing,
0:29:08 > 0:29:12so a bit unlucky. I'm a little bit annoyed that I did it.
0:29:12 > 0:29:17I'm gutted for Ryan. I was so hoping that he would do well today.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20I'm probably more upset than he is.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23In such a hazardous environment and with millions of pounds
0:29:23 > 0:29:28of goods at stake, this is not a place where risks can be taken.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30But with a bit more training,
0:29:30 > 0:29:34Ryan did eventually pass his crane driving test.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41Off the coast of Kent, the crew of the Galatea
0:29:41 > 0:29:45has come to the aid of a damaged light vessel.
0:29:45 > 0:29:46It's been taking on water
0:29:46 > 0:29:52and the crew had planned to tow it into harbour for repair.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54But with a hurricane on its way,
0:29:54 > 0:29:58their mission now is just to keep it afloat until the storm passes.
0:30:01 > 0:30:06- OK, Bob. 25 knots south-east it is at the moment. Wind over tide.- OK.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08But the change of tide is at half past ten as well,
0:30:08 > 0:30:10so there's a slight chance we might be able to get you
0:30:10 > 0:30:13on there by boat. Just to check how much water's in there.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15If we can get across to have a look,
0:30:15 > 0:30:18see if there's been any more water ingressed in the last 24 hours,
0:30:18 > 0:30:22we'll get a good idea then of how it's holding up.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28At present we've got about a two, two-and-a-half metre swell,
0:30:28 > 0:30:32so like I say, once we get out there we can assess the situation.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35Maybe we can get on board. We'll give it our best shot.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41It's going to be a quick operation if we can get on board,
0:30:41 > 0:30:46be quick, in, have a look, pump any water out, and then get off
0:30:46 > 0:30:50as soon as possible, before the weather deteriorates even worse.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57We're going to try and get the chief mate on the lightship.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59If it's too dangerous, then we won't.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01If it looks like it's taking on water,
0:31:01 > 0:31:06then we'll stand by and monitor the situation, regardless of the weather.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20It's soon clear just how bad conditions have become.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40We're getting there.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45Getting on board is not going to be a walk in the park.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50Brace yourself.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58It's managing to hold the athwartships, anyway.
0:32:23 > 0:32:24Good stuff.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32Safely on board, the team must work quickly to check the hold
0:32:32 > 0:32:35where the water is coming in.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38We'll get down there and have a look, see if there's any more water.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50Because the light vessel was pumped dry yesterday,
0:32:50 > 0:32:54they can measure how much water the ship is letting in.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00Bob calculates it's 150 litres, which means it's holding up.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05But he's hoping he's got time to pump it dry again.
0:33:05 > 0:33:10- ON RADIO, MUFFLED:- ..Light vessel, do you have time to get the pump out...
0:33:10 > 0:33:13- or do you want us back?- OK, how long will it take you to rig that pump?
0:33:13 > 0:33:16- Ten minutes.- Two seconds, I'll have a look at the tide.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21The changing tide will increase the swell,
0:33:21 > 0:33:24making it even more difficult for the crew to get off.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29I reckon all round, we're going to be here for about an hour,
0:33:29 > 0:33:31'by the time we get off, all told.'
0:33:31 > 0:33:34No, in that case, come off then. Come off.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36- 'We haven't got an hour.' - Aye, aye. OK.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39Yeah, the tide is going to get away shortly.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43I'm not going to be able to keep the ship here to make him a lee.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46And it's going to get rougher. So we need to get them off now.
0:33:48 > 0:33:49We leave him on there an hour,
0:33:49 > 0:33:52there's a chance he's going to be on there 72 hours.
0:33:55 > 0:33:56It's pretty lively.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00Also you've got a 300-tonne light vessel doing one thing,
0:34:00 > 0:34:04a small motorboat, totally different motion.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06It's marginal getting on,
0:34:06 > 0:34:09and obviously the priority now is to get off safely.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14The ideal is to step onto the ladder at the top of the rise,
0:34:14 > 0:34:18and also disembarking, step on at the top of the rise
0:34:18 > 0:34:20because you've got to get on at the bottom,
0:34:20 > 0:34:23and the motorboat then can come up and trap your legs.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29Just hold on!
0:34:31 > 0:34:33OK, easy go, guys.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51Two down, one to go.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54The swell has reached dangerous levels
0:34:54 > 0:34:57and Bob radios the captain for help.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00Yeah, it's really lumpy over here at the moment.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04Is there any chance you could steam across the bow and try and flatten the waves for us?
0:35:04 > 0:35:06We can move the stern 20 metres.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11If he could pass across the bow of the light vessel,
0:35:11 > 0:35:13then that will calm the waves down,
0:35:13 > 0:35:16and give us the clearing to be able to get on safely.
0:35:21 > 0:35:22All ahead.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31- OK, I'm on.- Last one off. OK, let's get out of here.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43I hope my babies get to see this,
0:35:43 > 0:35:45and see what Daddy does for a living.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47HE LAUGHS
0:35:47 > 0:35:50The crew is happy that the light vessel is secure,
0:35:50 > 0:35:51for the time being.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54But with Hurricane Bertha now in full swing,
0:35:54 > 0:35:56they'll have to wait for another opportunity
0:35:56 > 0:35:58to take it in for repair.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04It's thanks to the hard work of agencies like Trinity House
0:36:04 > 0:36:08that the Channel is kept safe for those who use it for recreation.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11Away you go. Good luck.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14And just off the coast of Weymouth, two skippers are going head-to-head
0:36:14 > 0:36:18in an historic fishing competition to catch the mighty conger eel.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21Once a popular delicacy,
0:36:21 > 0:36:25they have now almost disappeared from the UK menu, and with
0:36:25 > 0:36:29sustainability concerns, most of the fish caught here are thrown back.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36Carol Denning is one of the few women taking part.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38It's only my third time I've actually fished
0:36:38 > 0:36:40in the conger eel competition.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42I am the only lady on this boat today,
0:36:42 > 0:36:45and they all treat me like one of the lads. That's really good.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49My biggest catch so far is about 55lb, 56lb.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53So yeah, I'm very happy with that.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57Angler Paul Maris holds the record for catching the heaviest eel
0:36:57 > 0:36:59in the history of this competition,
0:36:59 > 0:37:01weighing in at 91lb.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05Well, I've been fishing for over 50 years.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07So it's practice makes perfect, isn't it?
0:37:07 > 0:37:10And he's setting his standards high.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13Certainly there are bigger eels down there,
0:37:13 > 0:37:16so I think it wouldn't surprise me to see a 100lb conger come up,
0:37:16 > 0:37:19which is what really we're all after.
0:37:19 > 0:37:23After five hours at sea, everyone is desperate to catch a giant conger.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28If we get a big one on, everyone else has got to give as much
0:37:28 > 0:37:34priority to the angler as they can. Don't wait for us to move you. Move!
0:37:34 > 0:37:35Get out and away!
0:37:38 > 0:37:42If we get a big eel on, they are just hard-fighting fish.
0:37:43 > 0:37:48Trying to get a big'un gives the other anglers a buzz.
0:37:49 > 0:37:54Anything can happen, you know. Fingers crossed, really.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58But, yeah, hopefully we'll get the big one. That's what it's all about.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Come round the back, come round the back.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03And on skipper Paul's boat,
0:38:03 > 0:38:07it looks like his knowledge of the area is starting to pay off.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09Nice eel coming now, Paul.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18- Now they've just got to get it on board.- We have a special net.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22- There's a way we do this.- Just get hold of that leader, mate. Grab it.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27Try and go over the top. Try and come underneath. That's it.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29That's right, over his head.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37- What a start.- Good, good.- Whoo!
0:38:48 > 0:38:49Scales...
0:38:49 > 0:38:53When a giant conger is caught, the boats take a reference weight,
0:38:53 > 0:38:57but the official weigh-ins will take place in the harbour.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00- About 61, 62.- 62lb.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05One of Paul's jobs as skipper is to let other competing boats
0:39:05 > 0:39:08know the size, so that smaller fish can be thrown back.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12Are we going to keep him? Yeah.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17Aye, aye, any boats in the Weymouth Conger Festival, Offshore Rebel,
0:39:17 > 0:39:1862lb, 65lb,
0:39:18 > 0:39:21something like that, is our best eel just come in.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24Those eels that are kept will be sold
0:39:24 > 0:39:27and the proceeds given to charity.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29Let's get these baits going, see if we can get a big'un.
0:39:29 > 0:39:34- Over on Adrian's boat, they're still to land a whopper.- Argh!
0:39:34 > 0:39:35God.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41But it looks like that might be about to change.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45- Looks a nice fish there, doesn't it? - Steady, steady...
0:39:45 > 0:39:48Getting a conger to take the bait is only the start of the battle.
0:39:48 > 0:39:49Oooh, yeah.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52The angler needs to pull the fish to the surface quickly
0:39:52 > 0:39:54before it can wrap itself around the wreck.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56Keep moving back.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07Whoo hoo!
0:40:17 > 0:40:22A strong fish. That was hard work, that one. They do fight well.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25But it's a competition, so it's good for the boat.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29This could be a winning fish.
0:40:32 > 0:40:33- 65.- Ooh!
0:40:33 > 0:40:37Both skippers have landed mega eels, but with up to 100 anglers
0:40:37 > 0:40:40and eight boats taking part over three days,
0:40:40 > 0:40:42who will come out on top?
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Time, gentlemen and ladies.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48There we go, well done.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53It's now a race back to the harbour for their massive congers
0:40:53 > 0:40:56- to be weighed.- Homeward bound.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59They have to be docked by 6pm, or they'll be disqualified.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01Five minutes to the harbour entrance.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05Skipper Paul is cutting it fine, but he's confident.
0:41:05 > 0:41:1016:51 arrival, five minutes to go up to the mooring, giving us
0:41:10 > 0:41:13four minutes to leap off the boat and get to the weigh-in.
0:41:13 > 0:41:17- First eel, Atlanta.- Yeah?
0:41:17 > 0:41:1959.5.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21All the fish caught over the three-day competition
0:41:21 > 0:41:24are weighed in.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26Offshore Rebel, Mr Maris.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30- 60.5.- 60.5?- 60.5.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32- Is this Wild Frontier?- Yes.- 58.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34That's a surprise. Very good, isn't it?
0:41:36 > 0:41:40- Adrian, Al's Spirit, 64.- Oh!
0:41:44 > 0:41:46The final results are in.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51Paul appears to have appointed himself as skipper
0:41:51 > 0:41:53of the whole event.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58Thank you for coming to Weymouth.
0:41:58 > 0:41:59CHEERING
0:42:00 > 0:42:05This is the 20th anniversary of this auspicious occasion,
0:42:05 > 0:42:07and you are very lucky...
0:42:07 > 0:42:10And now for the moment the Weymouth seafarers have been waiting for.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12This is what the competition's all about.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16This year's Conger Champion, with a fish of 81lb,
0:42:16 > 0:42:18please put your hands together
0:42:18 > 0:42:21for Tony Denning from Offshore Rebel.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23Tony, an angler on Paul's boat,
0:42:23 > 0:42:26has landed the biggest fish of the competition,
0:42:26 > 0:42:30and handed the title of Top Skipper to Paul for the sixth time.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33It's always nice to win.
0:42:33 > 0:42:34What's the point in doing a competition
0:42:34 > 0:42:38- if you don't try your hardest to win? Pointless.- Disappointing for me,
0:42:38 > 0:42:40hero to zero.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44Next year's another three days, so it's a fresh start.
0:42:44 > 0:42:48And having proven his skippering skills once again,
0:42:48 > 0:42:50is Paul now ready to weigh anchor for good?
0:42:52 > 0:42:54Well, I keep threatening to retire.
0:42:54 > 0:42:59But there might be another year or two left in me before I do.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01Today, Paul is King Of The Congers.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05But from tomorrow he'll be back to his day job, charter fishing.
0:43:06 > 0:43:10Just one of the hundreds of craft, big and small,
0:43:10 > 0:43:13that populate our bustling national waterway.