Amanda Knapp
Working on a crab boat is a physically demanding career, requiring strength and stamina—and sometimes adverse weather conditions to boot. It's not easy to get a job on a crab boat, as there are more people than jobs. Many crab boats are small, family-owned operations that hire employees directly, so it's a good idea to visit fishing towns and talk to people on the docks and in local businesses about your intention to become a crab fisher. You can also try to get experience through fish or crab processors, or by working on salmon boats. Once you have some experience, you can approach boat captains directly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Experience | Work at a fish or crab processor, or at a fish cannery |
| Skills | Stamina, strength, good social skills |
| Qualifications | Licensing course (not required in all states) |
| Networking | Visit fishing towns, interact with people on docks and at local businesses, develop relationships, find references |
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What You'll Learn
Gaining experience through fish or crab processors
You could also try hanging around Dutch Harbor until the production crews arrive. Or, as one person suggests, "get drunk, run up and down the street naked, screaming I've got crabs. They're always looking for colorful characters, maybe they'll get you a job".
Before pursuing this career, it's a good idea to visit a doctor to receive a physical examination, which ensures you're healthy enough to handle the conditions of a season onboard a crabbing boat. Crab fishing is physically demanding, so it's a good idea to prepare your body by regularly lifting weights and running, as these activities strengthen muscles and your cardiovascular system. You'll also sometimes be working in adverse weather, so it's helpful to practice maintaining stamina outdoors.
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Developing relationships and finding references
Boat crews work closely together and share tight spaces, so it's important that the captain and other team members can trust you. Developing relationships with potential employers and finding references who can vouch for your skills is therefore vital. You can do this by working at a fish or crab processor, where you'll spend time working on the docks packing, and may then be able to work on salmon boats, where the work is less demanding. Once you have some experience, you can approach boat captains and let them know of your intention to become a crab fisherman.
Another way to develop relationships and find references is to hang around Dutch Harbor until the production crews arrive. You could also try working at a fish cannery first, working hard, and having good social skills. Eventually, you'll get a job unless you're not good enough.
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Preparing for the physical demands of the job
Working on a crab boat is a physically demanding job. To prepare for the physical demands of this career, you might regularly lift weights and run, as these activities strengthen muscles and your cardiovascular system, both of which are essential to effective crab fishing. Crab fishers sometimes also work in adverse weather, so it's helpful to practice maintaining stamina outdoors. Consider visiting a doctor before pursuing this career to receive a physical examination, which ensures you're healthy enough to handle the conditions of a season onboard a crabbing boat.
You could also consider visiting a fishing town and interacting with people on the docks and at local businesses about your intention to become a crab fisher. Boat crews work closely together and share tight spaces during fishing seasons, so it's vital that the captain and other team members can trust you. Developing relationships and finding references who can vouch for your skills might help you build relationships with potential employers.
You could also consider getting a job at a fish or crab processor. You’ll spend time working on the docks packing, then may be able to work on salmon boats where the work is somewhat less demanding. You won’t see job opportunities for crab fisherman advertised. Most work is given out due to reputation and word of mouth. Once you have some experience behind you, you might like to approach boat captains and let them know of your intention to become a crab fisherman. Eventually one of them will give you a chance, and you’ll be ready for your first trip out as a crab fisherman.
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Visiting fishing towns and interacting with people on docks
Developing relationships and finding references who can vouch for your skills might help you build relationships with potential employers. Boat crews work closely together and share tight spaces during fishing seasons, so it's vital that the captain and other team members can trust you.
You could also consider getting some experience through fish or crab processors. You'll spend time working on the docks packing and may then be able to work on salmon boats, where the work is less demanding. Once you have some experience, you can approach boat captains and let them know of your intention to become a crab fisherman.
If you're physically fit and have good social skills, you'll be well-placed to get a job on a crab boat. It's a good idea to prepare for the physical demands of the career by regularly lifting weights and running, as these activities strengthen muscles and your cardiovascular system. Crab fishers sometimes work in adverse weather, so it's helpful to practice maintaining stamina outdoors. Consider visiting a doctor before pursuing this career to ensure you're healthy enough to handle the conditions onboard a crabbing boat.
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Applying at the local crab processor in Dutch
Applying to work on a crab boat is not as simple as sending off a CV and cover letter. Many crab boats are small, family-owned operations that hire employees directly rather than advertising their job openings.
The best way to get a job on a crab boat is to apply at the local crab processor in Dutch. You will likely have to work at a fish cannery first, and work hard to prove yourself. It's also important to have good social skills, as boat crews work closely together in tight spaces, so the captain and other team members must be able to trust you.
To prepare for the physical demands of the job, you might want to take up weight-lifting and running to strengthen your muscles and cardiovascular system. Crab fishers sometimes work in adverse weather, so it's helpful to practice maintaining your stamina outdoors. You should also consider visiting a doctor to ensure you're healthy enough to handle the conditions onboard a crab boat.
You could also try hanging around Dutch Harbor until the production crews arrive. They're always looking for colourful characters, so you might get lucky!
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Frequently asked questions
Many fishing boats are small, family-owned operations that might hire employees directly rather than advertise their job openings. Visiting fishing towns and interacting with people on docks and at local businesses about your intention to become a crab fisher might help you begin your career.
A good place to start getting experience is through the fish or crab processors. You’ll spend time working on the docks packing, then may be able to work on salmon boats where the work is somewhat less demanding.
Boat crews work closely together and share tight spaces during fishing seasons, so it's vital that the captain and other team members can trust you. Developing relationships and finding references who can vouch for your skills might help you build relationships with potential employers.
To prepare for the physical demands of this career, you might regularly lift weights and run, as these activities strengthen muscles and your cardiovascular system, both of which are essential to effective crab fishing. Crab fishers sometimes also work in adverse weather, so it's helpful to practice maintaining stamina outdoors.
There are more people than jobs since the collapse of the crab fisheries. A lake freighter could be a good option.
