Skippers is a reality television programme by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). It follows four Irish fishing trawlers. Boats and skippers Buddy M - C333. Seiner/Pelagic Trawler Skipper:Micheal Meade. Home Port - Crosshaven, Co. Cork Tea Rose - S73. Seiner Skipper:Cathal O'Sullivan. Home Port - Castletownbere, Co. Cork Ainmire - D536. Vivier Crabber Skipper:Ross Classon. Home Port - Portnoo, Co. Donegal / Ullapool, Scotland John B - DA39. Twin-Rig Prawn Trawler Skipper David Price. Home Port - Howth, Co. Dublin The skippers Michael Meade: 60 miles off the south coast of Cork is skipper Michael Meade. He's been fishing for the past 25 years and has owned his trawler the Buddy M for the past 10 years. Alongside Michael are four regular crew members including Brendan from Cork and Sergey from Warsaw. Michael has seen the fishing industry slowly being eroded and is not too hopeful for the future. He fishes out from the small port of Crosshaven in Cork. Cathal O'Sullivan: The old fishing village of Castletownbere in Co. Cork is where the ambitious and determined Cathal O'Sullivan is based. Cathal has no background in fishing and originally comes from Kenmare in Kerry. He started fishing at 16 and now at 24 is one of Ireland's youngest skippers in charge of the 80foot trawler the Tea Rose. This €1 million boat is owned by Paddy O'Sullivan who has recently put his faith in Cathal to go it alone. Cathal leaves behind a young family, his son gets upset each time Cathal leaves, but Cathal's duration at sea is getting longer due to the rising price of fuel and the decrease in the value of his catch. He often will do three fishing trips in a row leaving his family for up to 20 days at a time. With every trip comes the pressure of finding a good catch for the crew in order for himself and his men to earn a decent wage. Ross Classon: Portnoo in Donegal is home to 42-year-old skipper Ross Classon. He's been fishing since he was 15. But Ross has no family background in the industry and is the son of a school principal. He went to sea purely because he loved it. This comes with a price to pay as he has less time to spend on shore with his family, when he does come home it is not long before Ross has to