The Sea Farming Sisters in Recovery

How one enterprising Mainer is harvesting a new cash crop — and building a powerful support network for women who need it most.

Edited by Brendan Spiegel

The Linda Kate pulls up to Falmouth Town Landing, lobster traps stacked high in the stern and two yellow dogs on deck, tails wagging. She towers over most other fishing boats in the harbor, the gunwales above eye level as Colleen hops down onto the dock. The ocean temperature is in the low 50s, and when the wind blows, the cold cuts through polar fleece.

Three women join Colleen and her husband, Brent, aboard the Linda Kate. They show up in jeans and sweatpants but change into oversized Grundéns overalls and boots. All hands are clad in bulky orange fishing gloves, and all eyes are on Colleen. These women are all in recovery, and they are working together on a boat for the first time today.