Linda Greenlaw is the only woman swordboat captain in the world. She had been captain of her vessel for thirteen years when Sebastian Junger described her competence and skill as a captain in The Perfect Storm, bringing her widespread attention. Following the publication of The Perfect Storm, Greenlaw was inundated with questions regarding life on a swordfish boat.

She ultimately recounted one such trip in her book, The Hungry Ocean. Using and understanding the navigation and weather equipment, as well as plotting course and distance by hand, Greenlaw explains that she is able to decipher and use the information her electronic gear was designed to produce. Combining this data with information from captains already fishing she is able to be more precise about where fishing might be successful. The safety of the ship is also dependent upon the technology aboard.

Greenlaw tells us that at sea...