As his birthday, and pre-Christmas celebrations begin, trawler Skipper Tom prepares to set sail on his final fishing trip of 1974.

As always at this time of year, he reflects on the events of the past twelve months.

Now reconciled with his wife, Debbie, he is on a much more stable financial footing. Due to a very good year`s fishing on board his boat, Dorothy Hood, all his debts are now paid.

In fact, a small surplus means they can now finally enjoy a few more luxuries in life.

But everything in the garden is far from rosy.

His father Fred`s memory loss is now such a cause for concern, that Tom has finally accepted that this final trip of the year will also be Fred's last, before taking up the job of shoreman.

With an ever demanding, ungrateful wife who never seems satisfied with anything he does, Tom is now feeling the pressure.

This is made worse by the fact that he is constantly struggling to keep the peace between his wife and his best friend, Yorky, whose dislike for each other goes back many years.

Add this to the fact that he and his father are still mourning the death of his beloved mother, Dorothy, sixteen months previously, 1975 could prove to be a climactic and uncertain year.

As the unexpected appearance of an old friend solves one big problem, Tom must never forget the one true enemy out there all seafarers fear. The sea.