
Working on a lobster boat can be lucrative, with crew members earning as much as $1,800 per week. However, it is also physically demanding work, requiring strength and endurance. To land a job on a lobster boat, it's recommended that you walk the docks in seaside communities with a good lobster fishing job market, such as New England and the mid-Atlantic region. You should prepare a resume, highlighting relevant skills and work experience, and include good references. Boat captains also look for workers with a driver's license and steady hands, as the job requires cutting up bait for traps. Once you're on the boat, it's important to follow safety protocols, such as keeping your feet flat on the deck and wearing appropriate clothing and gear.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | New England and the mid-Atlantic region, from New York to Maine, are top-ranked for lobster fishing. |
| Qualifications | A driver's license is beneficial, as are knot-tying skills and steady hands. |
| Experience | Relevant work experience is required, and Maine demands a two-year apprenticeship. |
| Strength and endurance | Boat captains look for workers with good strength and endurance due to the demanding physical nature of the work. |
| Hours | Work schedules can require 24-hour shifts. |
| Salary | Each crew member earns a share of the catch and can make as much as $1,800 per week. |
| Seasonality | Summer is the peak season for lobstering. |
| Gear | Sternmen need rubber boots, rubber gloves and rubber overalls. |
| Safety | Keep your feet flat on deck. If you feel a tug on your legs, drop immediately on your back and point your toes aft. |
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What You'll Learn
- How to get hired: walk the docks in seaside communities with a good lobster fishing job market, such as New England and the mid-Atlantic region?
- What to wear: Sternmen need rubber boots, rubber gloves and rubber overalls?
- What to bring: Diphenhydramine, a pain killer and hydrocortisone cream?
- How to stay safe: Keep your feet flat on deck and if you feel a tug on your legs, drop immediately on your back and point your toes aft?
- How to prepare: Brush up on your knot-tying skills and make sure you have steady hands?

How to get hired: walk the docks in seaside communities with a good lobster fishing job market, such as New England and the mid-Atlantic region
To get hired on a lobster boat, it's a good idea to walk the docks in seaside communities with a strong lobster fishing job market, such as New England and the mid-Atlantic region, from New York to Maine. While you might get lucky and land a job on the spot, boat captains are busy people, so it's a good idea to prepare a resume with good references and a list of relevant skills and work experience. You could then hand this to boat captains, who can review your qualifications at their convenience.
Boat captains are looking for workers with good strength and endurance, as lobster boat deckhands perform demanding physical labour, such as pulling lobster traps from the water, and the work schedule sometimes requires 24-hour shifts. It's also a good idea to brush up on your knot-tying skills and make sure you have steady hands, as you'll be cutting up bait for the traps while the ocean and wind rock the boat.
If you do land a job, you'll need the appropriate gear, including rubber boots, rubber gloves and rubber overalls. You should also be aware of some basic safety tips, such as keeping your feet flat on the deck and knowing what to do if a rope slithers across the deck or you feel a tug on your legs.
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What to wear: Sternmen need rubber boots, rubber gloves and rubber overalls
Sternmen on lobster boats need to wear rubber boots, rubber gloves and rubber overalls. This is to protect them from the water and the lobsters. Sternmen perform demanding physical labour, such as pulling lobster traps from the water, and the work schedule sometimes requires a 24-hour shift. It is important to keep your feet flat on the deck and to be aware of ropes slithering across the deck. If you feel a tug on your legs, drop immediately on your back and point your toes aft. You will lose a boot, but it may save you from going overboard.
You should also bring a personal bag with Diphenhydramine, a pain killer and hydrocortisone cream. Basic first aid gear is on the boat, but it won't be anything special. It is also a good idea to brush up on your knot-tying skills and to have steady hands, as the job requires you to cut up bait for the traps while the ocean and wind rock the boat.
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What to bring: Diphenhydramine, a pain killer and hydrocortisone cream
Working on a lobster boat can be a great way to earn big money in a short period of time. However, it is demanding physical labour, so you need to be in good shape and have plenty of endurance.
To land a job on a lobster boat, you'll need to demonstrate your worthiness to the boat captain. Captains desire workers with good strength and endurance, so be prepared to showcase your physical capabilities. It's also a good idea to brush up on your knot-tying skills and have steady hands, as you'll be cutting up bait for the traps while the boat rocks on the ocean waves.
In terms of what to bring, it's important to have the appropriate gear. This includes rubber boots, rubber gloves, and rubber overalls. Additionally, make sure to pack Diphenhydramine, a pain killer, and hydrocortisone cream in your personal bag. These items will come in handy for first aid, as the basic first aid gear on the boat may not be sufficient.
Finally, while working on the boat, remember to keep your feet flat on the deck. If a rope slithers across the deck, step up toward the pilot house. If you feel a tug on your legs, drop immediately on your back and point your toes aft. This will help prevent you from going overboard with the weight.
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How to stay safe: Keep your feet flat on deck and if you feel a tug on your legs, drop immediately on your back and point your toes aft
Working on a lobster boat can be a dangerous job, so it's important to know how to stay safe. One of the most important things to remember is to always keep your feet flat on the deck. Lobster boats can be slippery and unstable, so keeping your feet flat will help you maintain your balance and avoid falling overboard.
If you do feel a tug on your legs, it's crucial that you drop immediately onto your back and point your toes aft. This will help you avoid being pulled overboard by a rope or net. It's better to lose a boot than to risk falling into the water, especially if the boat is moving at high speed or there is a lot of weight pulling on the rope.
It's also important to wear the appropriate clothing and gear when working on a lobster boat. Sternmen, or deck hands, should wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and rubber overalls to protect themselves from the elements and any sharp objects that may be on the boat. Basic first aid gear should be on the boat, but it's a good idea to have your own personal supply as well, including Diphenhydramine, a pain killer, and hydrocortisone cream.
In addition to safety precautions, there are a few other things to keep in mind when working on a lobster boat. The job requires good strength and endurance, as deckhands perform demanding physical labor such as pulling lobster traps from the water. The work schedule can also be demanding, sometimes requiring 24-hour shifts. To land a job on a lobster boat, it's important to demonstrate your worthiness by showcasing your strength and endurance, as well as any relevant skills and work experience.
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How to prepare: Brush up on your knot-tying skills and make sure you have steady hands
Working on a lobster boat can be physically demanding, so it's important to be in good shape. Boat captains are looking for workers with good strength and endurance. You'll need to be able to pull lobster traps from the water, and the work schedule can be intense, sometimes requiring 24-hour shifts.
To prepare for this kind of work, it's a good idea to brush up on your knot-tying skills. There are many types of nautical knots, and it's important to know which rope knots to use in different situations. The bowline knot, for example, is a basic knot that all boaters should master. It's versatile because its fixed noose won't allow the rope to run or slip, but it can still be easily untied manually. To tie a bowline knot, first, lay the rope across your non-dominant hand and make a small loop. Then, run the working end through the loop from the underside.
You'll also need steady hands, as the job requires you to cut up bait for the traps while the ocean and wind rock the boat. Basic first aid gear is usually available on lobster boats, but it's a good idea to bring your own supplies, including Diphenhydramine, a pain killer and hydrocortisone cream.
To find work on a lobster boat, you can try walking the docks in seaside communities with a good lobster fishing job market, like New England and the mid-Atlantic region from New York to Maine. While you might get lucky and land a job on the spot, boat captains are often busy, so it's a good idea to prepare a resume with your qualifications, references, and relevant skills and work experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Walk the docks in seaside communities with a good lobster fishing job market, such as New England and the mid-Atlantic region from New York to Maine. Prepare a resume with good references, relevant skills and applicable work experience. Boat captains desire workers with good strength and endurance.
The crew usually consists of the boat captain and one or two sternmen, sometimes referred to as deck hands. Each crew member earns a share of the catch and can make as much as $1,800 per week.
Sternmen need to wear rubber boots, rubber gloves and rubber overalls.
Keep your feet flat on the deck. If you feel a tug on your legs, drop immediately on your back and point your toes aft. Dry your feet as soon as possible and look them over for potential infections.
You should brush up on your knot-tying skills and have steady hands, as the job requires you to cut up bait for the traps while the boat rocks.








































