Deckhand & Fishing Vessel Jobs in Alaska
Many stories have been told about people who, with no trouble whatsoever, landed a job as a crew member in Alaska's fishing industry on a highliner fishing boat and made tons of money. There are published materials for sale which boast of lucrative jobs in canneries and on fishing boats. The reality is, that for every success, there are many failures.
A prospective crew member's chance for a profitable season will be enhanced by careful assessment of job openings and close attention to details regarding any job offer.
Fishing vessel employers will look for crew members who:
If you are interested in fast-paced, hard work, Alaska’s seafood industry may be the right place for you. Before you decide to get a job working onboard a fishing vessel or in a seafood processing plant, we recommend you take the time to learn more about what is involved in ‘fishing’ by visiting the links below:
- are available to work the full season or contract period
- are physically able to stand and work long hours and move heavy objects
- get along well with other people in remote and often wet and cold conditions
- are ready for hard work, are not chronic complainers, and have a positive attitude
- follow directions and abide by safety rules
What fishing vessel crew members in Alaska need to know
To learn more about how to find and prepare for a fishing job, job seekers should download and read this document: Preparing to Work On-board Fishing Vessels (PDF)
Advisory
Some of the reasons crew members leave should carry a warning to job seekers to proceed with caution. Commercial fishing is rated as one of the most hazardous occupations in America. Reputable boat operators rarely have serious mishaps, nor do they lose good crew members through misunderstandings. It is a good idea to find out why the departed crew member left. A vessel with numerous crew vacancies during the harvest season warrants investigation before new crew accept a job on it.
