These pictures, taken by a north-east fisherman, show how quickly the North Sea can be transformed as a serene sunset shifts to a treacherous storm in the space of just 24 hours.
Skipper John Clark, of Banff, who captured the images while fishing just 40 miles from Peterhead Harbour said it was just “another day in the office” for he and his six crewman.
The men were making their way back to the fishing port and were less than 10 miles offshore, when Mr Clark captured the striking sight of the massive waves from his boat, the Reliance II.
Office view this morning.big waves 8miles from Peterhead#eatmorefish#stormykind pic.twitter.com/goGQA2WOUd
— john Clark (@jrclarkbf800) January 15, 2015
Speaking last night, following their safe return after two days at sea, the skipper said: “That’s just normal for us. This time of year if there’s a break in weather if you can get fishing even for a day you take it.
“We left Peterhead on Tuesday morning and we knew the weather was going to be really, really bad. At 10pm Wednesday night, the storm got really, really bad. That’s when you take the safest option and slow down.
“Through the night was really poor, we saw was 60-70mph winds, but that is just the weather for the time of year.
“I suppose it is just like other people driving to work in the snow. I have just got to watch and make sure everyone is safe.”
The first photograph, taken on Wednesday morning, shows a stunning North Sea sunrise.
Office view this morning.fine day but 4cast looks poor#eatmorefish#fishingdeluxe pic.twitter.com/Hkwhh1qwKQ
— john Clark (@jrclarkbf800) January 13, 2015
The next, from yesterday morning between 8am and 9am, depicts the crew’s surroundings in turmoil as giant waves tower into the air just a few miles from land.
Mr Clark said he and the men had taken it in their stride.
“We were just sitting with our feet up watching the waves,” he said.
“I said, ‘dear me, that’s a lot of swell for being close to the land’.
“It’s just a common thing we fisherman do. We love out jobs. Every day is different.
“I own the boat as well. She’s an excellent sea ship. We fish all over Scotland. In summer we fish on the West Coast.”
Office view 3miles from Peterhead still stormy kind#eatmorefish#stormykind pic.twitter.com/J362D2xRxB
— john Clark (@jrclarkbf800) January 15, 2015