Jim Bettess began his fishing career as "Brassie" with J. N. Ward & Son and sailed in the trawler Wigan with skipper George Kay in April 1929.

From the Wigan he went onto S.T. Soar and this ship, he recalled, was the best of all from the learning point of view. All the deckhands held Skippers' certificates and they had a wealth of knowledge which they willingly passed on.

After Soar he sailed with Skipper W. Dewhurst in Lowther, with Dick Gornall in Lune and with Skipper Slippy Wright in Fane - "One of nature's gentlemen and a master at his trade", said Jim.