Declan O Donnell

Declan O Donnell is the main character of the novel. He was born and raised as a dairyman in Oregon, and began fishing as a side job. He purchased his boat, the Plover, and used it for a variety of purposes before leaving for his solo voyage.

Declan has never been married and has no kids. He once had a semi-serious girlfriend, but she eventually left him.

He has two younger brothers and suspected twin sister, Grace. His mother left when he was young and he was left with his unloving father.

Declan is often called Dec by Piko and Captain by the other crew members. He has one tattoo, which says "misneach". He says it means, "Stay afloat. Don't drown. Don't quit. Stay with the boat." Misneach is an Irish word. He is known for his saying, nad the variants of it; "fecking feck." He has an obsession with Edmund Burke, and often quotes him in his dialogue.