Brooke Ratzat

Brooke Ratzat has been working or living on boats for most of her life. She grew up in the harbors of Southeast Alaska. Brooke and her husband, Charlie, have a deep love for boats. Especially old wooden fishing boats. They've owned and trolled them with their kids off and on over the last 20 years, most recently the F/V Carol W and previously the F/V Velvet. When not fishing, Brooke and Charlie have worked closely with the fishing industry. Brooke as a port sampler for the Alaska Department of Fish & Game and Charlie as a welder and fabricator. They now own and operate Homestead Skiffs, a marine fabrication business.

Brooke has always kept her camera at the ready. From documenting field work for Fish & Game on her film camera to capturing the personal beauty and struggle of being a fishing family. Brooke not only knows her way around a fishing boat, she has immense respect for those that continue the legacy. She has a fascination for the history of the industry, the vessels that have been working these waters for over 100 years and for the individuals who keep both alive.
Brooke Ratzat
Brooke Ratzat

Museum Midday: Slowing Life Down, Frame by Frame with Brooke Ratzat.

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Family life on the <i>F/V Carol W</i>
Family life on the F/V Carol W
Bait
Bait
Final weigh-in
Final weigh-in
Charlie Ratzat lands a king salmon
Charlie Ratzat lands a king salmon
Troll caught king salmon
Troll caught
king salmon
Rainbird 15
Rainbird 15
Ward Lake 3
Ward Lake 3
Whitman 11
Whitman 11