Catina 1929 - 2014; Our Fishing Vessel

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Yes, she's registered in Romania. We have a hull number now and a construction permit!

Our family without a fishing vessel is as a hand with no fingers. Like it or not, I'll end up with her. I'm not sure what I'll do when Papa retires but I have plenty of time to figure it out, I hope. I probably do need some kind of maritime training. This isn't exactly a rowboat.

I probably will need to know more of the engines and need more practice driving her. I've been away for two seasons and I wouldn't trust myself on the wheel. This will be all new, and I'd hate to run into a dock or ram another boat.

Unless, of course, that boat's trolling on my nets! Then with that nice icebreaker bow...hmm. We could mount a machine gun on top of the wheelhouse...how much room does a torpedo bay take?

I'm just kidding! Papa has found a company who will move the hull to Constanta. One thing about doing business in Romania and that part of the world is you have to be very careful who you deal with. This company is family-owned and they've been in business since WW2 all along the Black Sea. It will take probably up to three weeks to move this thing, depending upon how bad the weather is. They will attach a crane to it and put it on a barge and float it down the coast to Constanta rather than tow it. It's more expensive, but much more stable for the hull.

Foo! Thank goodness I go back to school next week! I feel like Jacques Cousteau or somebody like that. I can't wait to get back there to see the progress next summer! I bet the cats won't know what to do with themselves, being on land until 2015!

With love,
~Cat
 
I'm taking kadesma and many of you with me in the 2015 season. I plan to be by Papa's side on her for the first run of the season, and I am going to make kadesma's pork chops and onion sauce for the crew, and many of your recipes, too. I will work twice as hard as ever on the new Catina, and the crew will love the food!

I was always a better cook than the Gizzi, anyway! He loved for me to cook, because then he could sneak away for a nap and I'd never tell on him. He has arthritis and he hurts. I hope he'll make it to the 2015 season; he's 78 years old. But even if he doesn't want to be on for the season, he will be a big part of her as he always is and welcomed as a guest if he wishes. Papa and I will see to this!

Many retired crew members still came to Catina and would take a trip with on her, even if they didn't work much because of age or old injuries. Papa's secretary is sending out notices to all the former crew of Catina's deregistration and scrapping. They'll want to come to pay their respects to her for the last time, for she was home to them for many years.

So. I need all your best recipes! Each person please pick one, as I have selected kadesma's for her. I need these to be hearty, filling, and full of flavor for a bunch of hard-working men as they start with us on a new lady of the sea. I've spoken to Papa of this, and he said he'd love different food also!

Lots of meat and potatoes, pasta dishes, fish (of course!!), chicken and pork would be good. Remember we have to limit the vegetables to the canned ones, for fresh doesn't last all season. The galley plans I'm researching will definitely include a large walk-in freezer and a walk-in refrigerator. I can put in a six-burner range (electric, unfortunately) and a double wall oven and two microwave ovens. This time, there will be a deep double-bowl sink and a prep station. The Gizzi might like this so much he may see the 2015 season through! I'll put things like a food processor, blender, toaster oven, and other appliances under the prep station so everything is there where the cook can get to these easily. And a built-in can opener! You wouldn't believe how many can openers can actually get lost on a boat! I kept expecting to find them in a bunk or down in the bilge. After a heavy sea one time, I did find one stuck between the refrigerator and the pantry.

We're giving away the things we won't be using to other boats, like the stove and all. I wonder if we could pipe in a dishwasher? We have a washing machine and a dryer on Catina now, I think I can do that. It will have to be right next to the sink to save on the piping. Uck...I'll have to move the range down farther. I'm trying to eliminate so many steps from one place to another. Oh well.

When I come up with the rudimentary plans, all this will go through the architect and he'll be able to figure it out.

So! Let's work on these recipes. I'll try all of them here, I promise, and that way I'll be familiar with them. Just put them here in this Catina thread and I'll find them, copy them, and make them. This thread will be all things boat, yes? Ha!

With love,
~Cat
 
This whole thread has been such interesting reading..thank you!

What a good idea with the recipe's Cat. This is an old family favorite and doesn't require fresh produce, only a potato. It's "stick to the ribs" food for hard working men.

Grandpa K's German Stew

4-5 lbs of pork shoulder (often found as "Farmer Style Ribs" these days)
1 large onion, chopped
1 large can of Sauerkraut, drained (reserve the juice) and lightly rinse the Kraut
1 large can of tomatoes (undrained), dice
2 med. size cans of small white beans, drained
3-4 cups of chicken broth
1 large russet potato, peeled and grated
1 tsp. of Caraway Seeds (optional)
Black pepper to taste

Cut up the meat and brown the meat and the onion it in a large pot. Add all the ingredients, cover and simmer about one hour, or till the meat is tender. I pass the reserved "Kraut juice" for those of us who like more "zing".
It smells and tastes WONDERFUL !!
 
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Cat, this is a wonderful thread and a great idea collecting recipes. I am thinking I will give you two, if that is okay. One is a side dish that has been popular here and my cookies three ways dough that is easy to turn into yummy treats for the crew. I will get you the links later.

May I make a suggestion that people put their recipes in the proper forums and link to them here. That way you have access to them in one place but they will not be lost for the rest of us. Just a thought. :)
 
LPBeier said:
Cat, this is a wonderful thread and a great idea collecting recipes. I am thinking I will give you two, if that is okay. One is a side dish that has been popular here and my cookies three ways dough that is easy to turn into yummy treats for the crew. I will get you the links later.

May I make a suggestion that people put their recipes in the proper forums and link to them here. That way you have access to them in one place but they will not be lost for the rest of us. Just a thought. :)
Click to expand...

Good idea LP. In my case, my recipe is already here.
 
This is a Danish meal. I think it would be perfect. http://www.discusscooking.com/forums/f21/mock-armadillo-danish-meatloaf-69011.html#post948216 and serve it with potatoes and http://www.discusscooking.com/forums/f21/danish-red-cabbage-r-dk-l-roedkaal-69012.html#post948219.

That red cabbage is great for when you can't get fresh vegis. You can make a bunch of it and it keeps for months in the fridge. It can also be canned without noticeable loss of flavour or texture. Cabbage also stays fresh for a very long time, if stored properly.

Just a warning, if making a double batch of the red cabbage, don't increase the salt, sugar, water, or vinegar. Just top up the water if it doesn't almost cover the cabbage after a few minutes and add a bit of extra vinegar, if the cabbage doesn't change colour. You can adjust the sweet/tart balance later.
 
This is wonderful! Post as many recipes you wish! The meal schedule aboard Catina is heavy, hearty meals every four hours for both 12-hour shifts. In between, the galley is full of breakfast foods, sandwiches, cookies, breads, soups, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and milk for some of the older crew who must eat more often, or for anyone who becomes hungry.

Papa says a boat can not run on empty stomachs just as it can't run on empty fuel tanks, so he makes sure there is always wholesome food for his crew whenever they want to break off and eat. The support crew is on different schedules, and so they eat at different times also. This way, everyone has plenty to eat at any time.

Papa may be my father, but he's the best boat captain of the fleet and his crew says so also. On some boats, it's not as nice. Papa often makes a dash to a harbor and throws someone out with his credit card to buy fresh vegetables and meats just because he wants to.

Papa supplies vitamins and supplements through the medical team also. The crew is free to take what they want from the unlocked cabinets. They have to lock up drugs like painkillers and antibiotics, as is the regulation.

Thank you so very much for all your help! And if you have ideas about these interim meals such as the breakfast things and sandwiches, etc., please bring these too! If one of has ten great meaty recipes, post the ten!

I am so proud of you all for your support and your recipes and I'm so very, very grateful. We need a name for our recipe book. I thought of a few names:

DC on the Black Sea (it rhymes)...Recipes for a Happy Crew

Catina's Fare: A worldwide collection of seafaring cuisine

DC's Ultimate Recipes for an Ultimate Boat

I like the first one so far. Please think of titles, also!

Thank you so very much! I'm copying and pasting!

With love,
~Cat
 
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When I copy and paste recipes from here, I always type in the name of the recipe author. I also copy and paste the link to the recipe. If you hover your cursor over the post number, you will see that it says "permalink". That's the link I paste into my copied recipe.
 
These look very good! I'm glad you have seen the merit in this. Has anyone else thought of a name for the book besides Cat?

I like "DC On The Black Sea" myself.

Thank you!

MammaCat
 
MammaCat said:
These look very good! I'm glad you have seen the merit in this. Has anyone else thought of a name for the book besides Cat?

I like "DC On The Black Sea" myself.

Thank you!

MammaCat
Click to expand...

So do I. DC has a lot of international members. So DC and Black Sea are very international together. :angel:
 
That will work, unless we get some other ideas.

They've got the hull onto the barge. A cable snapped during the transfer, but the others held and she is fine. She's anchored down with heavy chains to the barge, and she will begin her journey home to her new life tomorrow.

The old Catina will live on in several other boats also, so she will sail on for a long, long time! This is wonderful! It's as if I get many Catinas now!

I wish I could be there to see this! Uckk, I'm stuck on land!

With love,
~Cat
 
She has gone nearly 5 miles today! There have been no mishaps and everything is fine. It's just going to be extremely slow and of course, we're always at the mercy of the weather.

The tugs pushing the barge have to make a stop in about 3 hours to fill their tanks, but that won't take long. And on she goes! The ice isn't too bad, and they are getting through it very well but again, very slowly.

I spoke with Papa tonight, and he's so happy! He's tired, for he had much to do today with the list I sent him of things to be given away of Catina. He misses me! And I miss him too.

So far, this is going very well!

With love,
~Cat
 
This project is moving along very smoothly for you. I'll say a little prayer that it continues that way.

When you mentioned the storm that you had to pilot the boat through, it reminded me of how quick the weather can change on a lake or sea. The water depth is so much shallower than if the boat were out at deep seas, and that makes such a big difference. You did a great job keeping her and her men safe.

Another vote for "DC on the Black Sea". Then again, I'm a sucker for rhymes. ;)

Finally, my recipe contribution. I might come up with more, but this meal is cheap, filling, and nutritious. My Mom played with all kinds of variations of Ham and Bean Soup and this is the delight that we've made for years.

http://www.discusscooking.com/forums/f56/moms-ham-and-bean-soup-recipe-62865.html

Best use for a ham bone I've ever known! And the ingredients are either cured (ham, bacon), canned (tomatoes), dry (beans), or root veggies (potato, carrots). Since the recipe was made to accomodate 5-6 hungry tummies you'll need to do the math to make sure it feeds dozens of ravenous men.
 
Cat, I can vouch for the Ham and Bean Soup. It is a delicious, stick to your ribs, hearty meal in a bowl that seamen can appreciate. And so easy to make. Served with a hearty dark bread such as pumpernickel and you will have one happy crew doing a happy dance. Just make sure that enough is made for all the shifts to be able to get at least two bowls of it. Or they may just mutiny! :angel:
 
Cooking Goddess said:
This project is moving along very smoothly for you. I'll say a little prayer that it continues that way.

When you mentioned the storm that you had to pilot the boat through, it reminded me of how quick the weather can change on a lake or sea. The water depth is so much shallower than if the boat were out at deep seas, and that makes such a big difference. You did a great job keeping her and her men safe.

Another vote for "DC on the Black Sea". Then again, I'm a sucker for rhymes. ;)

Finally, my recipe contribution. I might come up with more, but this meal is cheap, filling, and nutritious. My Mom played with all kinds of variations of Ham and Bean Soup and this is the delight that we've made for years.

http://www.discusscooking.com/forums/f56/moms-ham-and-bean-soup-recipe-62865.html

Best use for a ham bone I've ever known! And the ingredients are either cured (ham, bacon), canned (tomatoes), dry (beans), or root veggies (potato, carrots). Since the recipe was made to accomodate 5-6 hungry tummies you'll need to do the math to make sure it feeds dozens of ravenous men.
Click to expand...

You're correct about how these storms flash in so quickly. When I was 10, I think, one came up so fast Papa barely had time to yell for to secure the deck and get below and put on the suits. Luckily the nets were on board, and a wave crashed through the side window of the wheelhouse, shorting everything electric out except the lights and the radio.

It was at night. Papa ordered me below but I refused. I did put on my survival suit but I stayed with Papa and manned the radio. He went to the sextant and pushed her as fast as she could go to the nearest harbor away from the storm. We made it with only a broken window, but the harbor he was headed to was Sokhumi, Georgia, where they were having a civil war!

The harbor master confiscated Catina's papers, and armed troops came aboard for an inspection. We stayed in the wheelhouse watching this, and then the leader of them came up and spoke to Papa. Papa was so calm and answered all his questions quietly. Then the leader gave the papers to Papa and told the armed men to allow us to dock for repairs.

It took all day to replace the window and some armed men stayed aboard Catina, watching us. But they were very nice and treated us very respectfully. The Gizzi cooked extra meals for them, and they seemed to be very grateful. One of the armed men liked our cats and he was the one who stayed in the wheelhouse watching Papa and me. He played with them!

When we received the clearance for departure, all the armed men shook hands with us and wished us well. One told Papa, "Get out of here as fast as you can, sir. Go with God." The one in the wheelhouse gave me a kiss on top of my head when he left, and told me I was very brave. I was! I didn't cry or panic on the outside, but inside I was terrified. I felt very shaky and scared.

When we reached Constanta about 5 weeks later after the season, Papa took me for lunch at a nice restaurant and we talked about the search and what all had happened. He explained about governments and peoples' rights and all those things I didn't understand. Then he took me shopping and bought me a pretty dress, some candy, and some stationery with kittens on the papers!

Oh I'm talking too much again!

I think that ham and bean soup is perfect! Thank you! I've copied it already along with the others. The cuisine aboard the new Catina will be wonderful! These will make them very happy.

With love,
~Cat
 
CatPat said:
You're correct about how these storms flash in so quickly. When I was 10, I think, one came up so fast Papa barely had time to yell for to secure the deck and get below and put on the suits. Luckily the nets were on board, and a wave crashed through the side window of the wheelhouse, shorting everything electric out except the lights and the radio.

It was at night. Papa ordered me below but I refused. I did put on my survival suit but I stayed with Papa and manned the radio. He went to the sextant and pushed her as fast as she could go to the nearest harbor away from the storm. We made it with only a broken window, but the harbor he was headed to was Sokhumi, Georgia, where they were having a civil war!

The harbor master confiscated Catina's papers, and armed troops came aboard for an inspection. We stayed in the wheelhouse watching this, and then the leader of them came up and spoke to Papa. Papa was so calm and answered all his questions quietly. Then the leader gave the papers to Papa and told the armed men to allow us to dock for repairs.

It took all day to replace the window and some armed men stayed aboard Catina, watching us. But they were very nice and treated us very respectfully. The Gizzi cooked extra meals for them, and they seemed to be very grateful. One of the armed men liked our cats and he was the one who stayed in the wheelhouse watching Papa and me. He played with them!

When we received the clearance for departure, all the armed men shook hands with us and wished us well. One told Papa, "Get out of here as fast as you can, sir. Go with God." The one in the wheelhouse gave me a kiss on top of my head when he left, and told me I was very brave. I was! I didn't cry or panic on the outside, but inside I was terrified. I felt very shaky and scared.

When we reached Constanta about 5 weeks later after the season, Papa took me for lunch at a nice restaurant and we talked about the search and what all had happened. He explained about governments and peoples' rights and all those things I didn't understand. Then he took me shopping and bought me a pretty dress, some candy, and some stationery with kittens on the papers!

Oh I'm talking too much again!

I think that ham and bean soup is perfect! Thank you! I've copied it already along with the others. The cuisine aboard the new Catina will be wonderful! These will make them very happy.

With love,
~Cat
Click to expand...

She left out part of that experience. I was in Constanta with my younger sister and her kids visiting, when we heard on the news a fishing boat had been taken by the rebel forces in Georgia. The footage was fuzzy, but it was definitely Catina. My brother called a moment later, but we couldn't get in touch with Catina. The whole family, all our friends, and the fishing fleet waited for 36 hours holding our breath and praying.

Finally I got a call from the harbor master, saying he had released Catina and all hands were well and on their way home. When Catina was farther out to sea, PapaCat called on the ship to shore radio and told us they were fine and were going to resume fishing. He had asked the harbor master to call me, for he knew we would be worried.

When Catina put in, she was escorted by five other fishing vessels. Cat was the first one down the gangplank, clutching her huge stuffed cat, and the other boats set off their horns and rang their bells. I grabbed her off the last step and held her so tightly, bawling my eyes out. To hell with bravery and poise. Then the crew followed, and there was such joy and relief. The crew's families were there waiting also, so you can imagine the hugs and tears.

PapaCat came down last. For a moment there was silence, utter silence, as he walked down, and as soon as he stepped onto the dock, all the horns and bells started again, and there was applause everywhere. They received a hero's welcome, and richly deserved it was!

I like this recipe, too. I think it's perfect!

MammaCat
 
I thought I had posted this before, but I couldn't find it. I hope its not duplicated :LOL:

http://www.discusscooking.com/forums/f56/german-potato-and-sausage-soup-88674.html

I had this soup in Potsdam, Germany, when DH and I were visiting three of our former German exchange students, so it has special memories for me. I was so tired from traveling and the time change, and so excited to see them, and this soup really hit the spot.
 
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