Kristian Ferrell
Working on a small fishing boat can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Before you can set sail, you'll need to complete mandatory safety training, including courses in sea survival, fire fighting, first aid, and health and safety. You'll also need excellent communication skills, physical fitness, and a good understanding of the types of fish you'll be catching and selling. Qualifications and experience vary depending on the role, with deckhands requiring a high school diploma and relevant certifications, while captains and engineers typically have a bachelor's degree and years of experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Qualifications | For jobs such as deckhand, a high school diploma and relevant certifications are required. Captains and engineers usually have a bachelor's degree and many years of experience. Cooks and stewards often attend culinary school. |
| Responsibilities | Deckhand responsibilities include operating equipment and performing tasks directly related to catching and storing fish. The captain is responsible for navigation and ensuring the safe operation of the ship. The first mate operates the communications equipment and ensures the crew follows the captain's directives. The chief engineer maintains all machinery onboard the ship, assisted by an engineer's assistant. The cook manages living conditions and prepares food, supported by a steward who cleans and assists others. |
| Training | Before going to sea, you must attend a Maritime and Coastguard (MCA)-approved basic safety training course in sea survival. Within three months, you must complete training in firefighting, first aid, and health and safety. Seafish offers an optional three-week training course, 'Introduction to Commercial Fishing', which includes the above mandatory courses, as well as courses in boat handling, on-board procedures, and watch-keeping and navigation. |
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What You'll Learn
Qualifications and training
The qualifications and training required for working on a small fishing boat vary by position. For example, to work as a deckhand, you need a high school diploma and any relevant certifications for the ship. Captains and engineers, on the other hand, typically hold a bachelor's degree and have several years of experience. Cooks and stewards often attend culinary schools, while some fishing boats offering charter services may prefer applicants with a background in entertainment.
Before embarking on a career in small fishing boats, it is essential to complete basic safety training approved by the Maritime and Coastguard (MCA). This includes training in sea survival, firefighting, first aid, and health and safety. Within three months of starting, you must also complete an approved training programme with a Seafish Group Training Association, which provides on-the-job experience. Seafish also offers an optional three-week 'Introduction to Commercial Fishing' course that covers boat handling, on-board procedures, watch-keeping, and navigation.
As you gain experience working on small fishing boats, you can take exams to obtain a Certificate of Competency from the MCA. This certification can open doors to more advanced roles, such as ship's mate or skipper.
Regardless of the specific position, excellent communication skills, physical fitness, and a solid understanding of the types of fish that can be caught and sold are essential for succeeding in any small fishing boat job.
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Roles and responsibilities
Working on a small fishing boat requires a range of skills and qualifications, depending on the role. For example, a deckhand only needs a high school diploma and any relevant certifications for the ship, while captains and engineers usually have a bachelor's degree and many years of experience. Cooks and stewards often attend culinary schools, and some boats may require a background in entertainment if they offer charter services.
Before going to sea, all crew members must attend a Maritime and Coastguard (MCA)-approved basic safety training course in sea survival. Within three months, they must also complete training in firefighting, first aid, and health and safety. An approved training programme with one of the Seafish Group Training Associations is then followed, which includes on-the-job experience. Seafish also offers an optional three-week training course, 'Introduction to Commercial Fishing', which covers boat handling, on-board procedures, watch-keeping, and navigation.
Excellent communication skills, physical fitness, and an understanding of the types of fish that can be caught and sold are essential for all roles. Duties may include handling and maintaining fishing equipment, navigating the boat, processing and storing the catch, and ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers if the boat offers charter services.
The specific responsibilities of each role vary. For example, deckhands assist the captain and engineers with various tasks, such as handling lines, maintaining the deck, and operating fishing gear. Captains are responsible for navigating the boat, ensuring the safety of the crew and passengers, and making decisions about fishing grounds and techniques. Engineers are in charge of maintaining the boat's engines and other mechanical systems, while cooks prepare meals and stewards ensure the boat is clean and tidy.
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Types of fishing
Working on a small fishing boat can be a varied experience. Some boats are recreational, while others are commercial. Qualifications for jobs on a fishing boat vary by position. For example, you can work as a deckhand with a high school diploma and any relevant certifications for the ship, while captains and engineers usually have a bachelor's degree and many years of experience. Cooks and stewards often attend culinary schools.
There are many different types of fishing, each with its own unique techniques and equipment. Here are some of the most common types:
Freshwater Fishing
Freshwater fishing is done in lakes, rivers, and streams. It can be done with a variety of baits and lures, and anglers often use a variety of techniques to catch fish.
Saltwater Fishing
Saltwater fishing is done in the ocean and can be done from shore or from a boat. It often involves larger and more powerful fish, and anglers use a variety of baits and lures to catch them.
Fly Fishing
Fly fishing is a unique type of fishing that uses a lightweight rod and a fly as bait. It is often done in freshwater streams and rivers, but can also be done in saltwater. Fly fishing is a challenging and technical style of fishing that requires precision and practice.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is a cold-weather fishing method where anglers go fishing during the winter months. It often involves cutting a hole in the ice and dropping a line down to the water below. This type of fishing requires special equipment and techniques to be successful.
Jigging
Jigging is a fishing technique that uses a specific type of hook and motion to catch fish. It is often done with artificial lures and is an effective way to catch a variety of species.
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Living conditions
Working on a small fishing boat can be a tough job. The qualifications for jobs on a fishing boat vary by position. You can work as a deckhand with a high school diploma and any relevant certifications for the ship, while captains and engineers usually have a bachelor's degree and many years of experience. Cooks and stewards often attend culinary schools. Some fishing boats offer charter services and focus more on recreational fishing than commercial fishing. In these cases, a background in entertainment can help you stand out from other applicants.
Before going to sea, you must attend a Maritime and Coastguard (MCA)-approved basic safety training course in sea survival and within three months complete training in fire fighting, first aid and health and safety. You would then follow an approved training programme with one of the Seafish Group Training Associations. This would include on-the-job experience. Seafish offers a three-week training course, 'Introduction to Commercial Fishing', which includes the above mandatory courses. It also includes courses in boat handling, on-board procedures and watch-keeping and navigation. This training course is optional.
Fishing boats can be great liveaboard boats, offering spacious room above and below deck for full-time living. They are generally closed-bow boats with a high cockpit and gunnels designed for wiring fish. They often have oversized windshields that are designed with visibility in mind.
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Safety
Working on a small fishing boat can be a dangerous job, so safety is paramount. Before going to sea, you must attend a Maritime and Coastguard (MCA)-approved basic safety training course in sea survival. Within three months, you must complete training in firefighting, first aid and health and safety. You would then follow an approved training programme with one of the Seafish Group Training Associations, which includes on-the-job experience. Seafish also offers a three-week training course, 'Introduction to Commercial Fishing', which includes the above mandatory courses, as well as optional courses in boat handling, on-board procedures and watch-keeping and navigation.
On a small fishing boat, the captain is in command and is responsible for the safe operation of the ship. The first mate is second-in-command and ensures the crew follows the captain's directives. The chief engineer maintains all machinery onboard, and the cook manages living conditions and prepares food. The lead foreman supervises the deckhands, who operate equipment and perform tasks directly related to catching and storing fish.
To work as a deckhand, you need a high school diploma and any relevant certifications for the ship. Captains and engineers usually have a bachelor's degree and many years of experience. Cooks and stewards often attend culinary schools.
Excellent communication skills, physical fitness and an understanding of which types of fish you can catch and sell are also essential for fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of a fishing boat job.
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Frequently asked questions
Qualifications vary by position. You can work as a deckhand with a high school diploma and any relevant certifications for the ship, while captains and engineers usually have a bachelor's degree and many years of experience. Cooks and stewards often attend culinary schools.
Fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of a fishing boat job requires excellent communication skills, physical fitness, and an understanding of which types of fish you can catch and sell.
Before going to sea, you must attend a Maritime and Coastguard (MCA) approved, basic safety training course in sea survival and within three months complete training in fire fighting, first aid and health and safety. You would then follow an approved training programme with one of the Seafish Group Training Associations.
This depends on your role. Deckhands are responsible for the physical work on the boat, while captains and engineers are responsible for the boat's navigation and maintenance. Cooks and stewards are responsible for preparing meals and keeping the boat clean and tidy.
