Helena Frye
Working on a fishing boat in Alaska is a fast-paced and challenging job. Employees work long hours, often 18-20 hours a day, with little time to rest between shifts. It is also one of the most hazardous occupations in America. However, there are success stories of people who have landed a job with no trouble and made a lot of money. To work on a fishing boat in Alaska, you should be prepared to be away from home for at least 90 days at a time and pack enough toiletries and medications to last this long.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shift length | 16-20 hours |
| Rest time | 4-5 hours |
| Time away from home | At least 90 days at a time |
| Typical work schedule | Three consecutive fishing trips on the vessel, then two trips at home resting |
| Typical work week | 20-30 days at sea |
| Typical work day | Every day unless there is a weather day |
| Typical work | Fast-paced and hard |
| Hazards | Rated as one of the most hazardous occupations in America |
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What You'll Learn
- Long hours: workers can expect to be out at sea for 20-30 days at a time, working 18-20 hour shifts
- Dangerous work: commercial fishing is one of the most hazardous jobs in America
- Preparation: workers should bring enough toiletries and medication for 90 days, as well as government-issued identification
- Lucrative: some people have made a lot of money working on fishing boats in Alaska
- Fast-paced: workers have little time to rest between shifts
Long hours: workers can expect to be out at sea for 20-30 days at a time, working 18-20 hour shifts
Working on a fishing boat in Alaska is not for the faint-hearted. You should expect to be away from home for at least 90 days at a time, and that's if you're lucky enough to get a break between fishing trips. Some companies operate a rotation schedule of three consecutive fishing trips on the vessel and then two trips at home resting, but this is not always the case.
You will be out at sea for 20-30 days at a time, working 18-20 hour shifts. On bigger operations, they might run three boats 24 hours a day with 16-hour shifts, but this is still gruelling work. There is little time to rest between shifts, and you will be expected to be as time-efficient as possible.
Although the days are long and arduous, they are also eventful, and it is common for employees to remark on how fast the shifts go by. If you are someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and doesn't mind hard work, then Alaska's fishing industry may be the right place for you.
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Dangerous work: commercial fishing is one of the most hazardous jobs in America
Commercial fishing is one of the most hazardous jobs in America. In fact, it is one of the most dangerous professions in the nation, with a fatality rate that is 23 times higher than for all other workers. Between 1980 and 1988, an average of 31 fishermen died in Alaska each year. From 2000 through 2016, 204 US fishermen died after falling overboard, according to a study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Vessel sinkings account for half of all fishing fatalities, and the second most common cause of death is falling overboard. In total, 1,903 commercial fishing boats sank between 1992 and 2007, resulting in 507 fatalities.
Despite the perception that many accidents in the commercial fishing industry are caused by the violence of nature, many of these fatal accidents are preventable and are caused by poor decision-making, pitfalls in equipment maintenance, inadequate employee training, and a lack of government oversight and regulation.
Working on a fishing boat in Alaska involves long and arduous shifts, with little time to rest between shifts. On bigger operations, they might run three boats 24 hours a day with 16-hour shifts. It is common to be out at sea for 20 to 30 days, working every day unless there is a weather day when the crew has to ride out a storm. Crew members are encouraged to work a rotation schedule of three consecutive fishing trips on the vessel and two trips at home resting.
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Preparation: workers should bring enough toiletries and medication for 90 days, as well as government-issued identification
Working on a fishing boat in Alaska is no easy feat. It is considered one of the most hazardous occupations in America, with crew members working long and arduous shifts, often with little time to rest. Before you set sail, it is important to prepare for the journey ahead.
Workers should bring enough toiletries and medication to last them 90 days. This is because crew members are often away from home for long periods of time, with some working rotations of three consecutive fishing trips before they get time off to rest. It is also a good idea to bring extra glasses or contact lens supplies if needed.
In addition to this, government-issued identification is required to complete employment forms. This could include a passport or driver's license. It is also recommended that workers bring 7-10 days' worth of clothes, packed in a duffle bag. A complete list of suggested items will usually be provided by the employer upon hire.
Finally, it is worth noting that fishing boat operators in Alaska will often take their new employees to purchase rain gear, boots, and other fishing supplies once they arrive. Therefore, it is not necessary to bring these items with you, although you may wish to bring appropriate clothing for the journey and the first few days of work.
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Lucrative: some people have made a lot of money working on fishing boats in Alaska
Working on a fishing boat in Alaska can be lucrative, with some people making a lot of money. However, it is hard work and there are many failures for every success. The work is fast-paced and arduous, with long shifts and little time to rest. Employees often work 18-20 hour days, with only four or five hours of sleep. Fisheries last for finite periods of time, so efficiency is key.
To enhance your chances of a profitable season, carefully assess job openings and pay close attention to the details of any job offer. Find out why previous crew members left and be wary of a vessel with numerous crew vacancies during the harvest season.
You should also be prepared to be away from home for at least 90 days at a time, and to work a rotation schedule of three consecutive fishing trips on the vessel and two trips at home resting.
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Fast-paced: workers have little time to rest between shifts
Working on a fishing boat in Alaska is a fast-paced job, with crew members working long and arduous shifts. It is common for employees to work 18-20 hour days, with only four or five hours of sleep in between. Crew members are encouraged to work a rotation schedule of three consecutive fishing trips on the vessel and two trips at home resting, meaning they should plan to be away from home for at least 90 days at a time.
Fishing boats in Alaska often run 24 hours a day, with 16-hour shifts. Fisheries last for finite periods of time, so it is imperative to be as time-efficient as possible. Employees often remark on how fast shifts go by, despite the long hours.
The reality of working on a fishing boat in Alaska is very different from the stories that are often told about people who land lucrative jobs in the industry with no trouble. Prospective crew members should carefully assess job openings and pay close attention to the details of any job offer.
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Frequently asked questions
You should plan to be away from home for at least 90 days at a time. Crew members are encouraged to work a rotation schedule of three consecutive fishing trips on the vessel and two trips at home resting.
Crew members working on Alaska fishing vessels will generally experience long and arduous shifts. On bigger operations, they might run three boats 24 hours a day with 16-hour shifts. It is common to be out at sea for 20-30 days and work every day unless there is a weather day. On some boats, crew members work 18-20 hours a day with four or five hours' sleep.
Toiletries and medications to last 90 days, extra glasses or contact lens supplies if needed, government-issued identification to complete your employment forms, and 7-10 days’ worth of clothes packed in a duffle bag. You will be taken to Alaska Ship Supply in Dutch Harbor, Alaska to purchase your rain gear, boots and related fishing supplies.
Commercial fishing is rated as one of the most hazardous occupations in America, so it is a good idea to find out why previous crew members left. You can download and read a document called 'Preparing to Work On-board Fishing Vessels' to learn more about how to find and prepare for a fishing job.
