Fishers and fishing vessel operators trap and catch different types of marine life for animal feed, bait, human consumption, and other uses. Fishers and fishing vessel operators have to work with a crew including a captain, a boatswain, a skipper, a first mate, and sometimes a second mate and deckhands.
Job Prospect
The work of fishing boat captain is to plan and supervise the fishing operation, the place of the best fishing, the fish to be sought, the duration of the trip, the method of capture, and the sale of the catch. The job of a captain is to make sure fishing vessel is seaworthy, supervise the purchase of gear, supplies, and equipment such as netting, fuel, and cables, employ good crew members, attain the required fishing licenses and permits, and assign duties to crew members.
A captain has to plot the vessel's course using charts, compasses, and electronic navigational equipment like GPS navigation systems or loran systems. Ships may use sonar and radar in order to avoid hindrances which are below and above the water to perceive fish. The advanced tracking technology facilitates captains to better analyze and locate schools of fish. The work of a captain is to supervise the fishing operation through officers' action. A captain has to record routine activities in the log of ship.
The captain sells, in port, the catch to wholesalers. They make sure that every crew member gets the pre-arranged portion of the proceeds. The captain uses internet to sell fish directly to consumers, bypass processors, and grocery stores. The job of first mate is to assist captains and control vessel when the captain is off duty.
The first mate has to be accustomed to navigation requirements and the function of all electronic equipment. Mates with boatswain direct the sailing responsibilities and operations of the deckhands comprising maintenance, operation, and repair of the vessel and preservation, gathering, unloading, and stowing of the catch.
The work of a boatswain is to direct deckhands to perform fishing and sailing operations. Deckhands have to load and supplies and equipment before the departure. Sometimes, boatswains have to repair equipment, accessories, fishing gear, and nets. They take out the catch such as flounder, cod, and tuna with the help of lines' hooks or nets.
With the help of dip nets, deckhands prevent the escape of small gaffs and fish to assist the landing of large fish. Consequently, they salt, wash, stow, and ice the catch. Deckhands also make sure that decks are clean and clear at all times. They also ensure that vessel's equipment and engine are kept in good working condition.
Work Environment
Workers have to perform fishing operations under all types of weather conditions depending upon the country and region. Fog, storms, and wind can hinder fishing vessels or cause them to dangle fishing operations. Fishers and fishing vessel operators have to perform their tasks under the most dangerous conditions. They have to work in such as a condition where there is no doctor or hospital facility available in close proximity.
The fishing crew should be on guard against the hazards of injury from entanglement in fishing gear and nets, malfunctioning fishing gear, ice formation in the winter, and slippery decks. Communication equipment or malfunctioning navigation may lead to shipwrecks or collisions. Fishers and fishing vessel operators may face exhausting long hours and outdoor work.
Fishers who are into commercial fishing trips may require a stay of many weeks and sometimes months many miles away from their home. The work responsibility of crew members is to watch at pre-arranged times of the night or day. Sometimes, processing and netting fish are strenuous activities.
Training and Educational Qualification
There are many fishers who start their work as deckhands and learn their work on-the-job. Usually, deckhands start by searching work through friends, family, or asking for employment. Many larger processing and trawlers ships are run by larger companies. Candidates who would like to get into this field may apply through the human resource department of the company. In some larger commercial fishing vessels, operators need to complete a cost guard approved training course.
There are many universities and community colleges offering fishery technology and other related programs that incorporate courses in vessel operations, seamanship, navigation, marine safety, fishing gear technology, and health emergencies. These courses are designed and modified with the purpose of providing quality education. Each course may comprise a fine combination of theoretical and practical exercises. However, secondary and postsecondary programs are offered near coastal areas.
Licensure
Captains and mates who work on large vessels of minimum two hundred gross tons should be licensed. Captains who work on sport-fishing boats must be licensed. Crew members on fish-processing vessels may require a merchant mariner's document. Captains, mates, and crew members may obtain these documents licenses from the US Coast Guard. These workers need to take test to meet the stipulated physical, academic, and health requirements.
Advancement
Many fishers start their career as deckhands. Workers who have gained extensive experience in this field may advance to boatswains and captains. Deckhands who have extensive experience and interested in ship engineering may finally become first mates, second mates, and captains.