The Job and What's Involved

Fishermen/women are responsible for a range of practical tasks on fishing vessels.

Most start as deckhands, operating the equipment which 'shoots' and 'hauls' fishing nets. Trawl nets are shot into the water, towed for a period of time, and then hauled in - either alongside the ship or on to a ramp. Ring and gill nets are 'shot' in specific locations, and left for a time before being hauled (pulled in on board). The fish are then removed and sorted, and the net is 'shot' into the water again.

Other tasks carried out by deckhands include:

• Grading fish by size and species.

• Gutting the fish.

• Storing the fish, e.g. in ice or sea water.

• Operating winches and other hydraulic equipment as well as fish handling systems.

• Landing the catch at the quayside.

• Maintaining and repairing nets and equipment.

Deckhands may assist with the watch on the bridge-looking out for changes in the weather and the presence of other vessels, and monitoring radio signals. They may have additional responsibilities, e.g. first aid, cooking or engine maintenance. They are usually under the command of a skipper.

On small inshore vessels, fishermen/women sometimes work alone. They mainly catch shellfish, using pots, dredges or nets.

Fishing trips tend to vary between 2 and 14 days, depending on the type of fishing. Smaller inshore vessels go to sea on a daily basis, while some larger vessels may be away for several weeks or even months. At sea, the crew often work long hours.

Freezing weather, storms and gales means that the work is hazardous and physically demanding. Fishermen/women wear protective clothing, boots and waterproofs. Conditions on board ship can be cramped and facilities basic.

Education and Training

There is a minimum entry age of 16 years to start as a trainee deckhand. No particular qualifications are needed but entrants need to be physically fit, with good hearing and eyesight.

Most people enter through one of 15 Catching Sector Group Training Associations (GTAs) in the UK. Contact Seafish Training to find the nearest GTA.

All new entrants to the fishing industry must take four one-day safety training courses run by the GTA, which may be free of charge. These courses cover:

• sea survival.
• first aid.
• fire fighting.
• basic health and safety for new entrants.

With experience, it is possible to progress to NVQ/SVQ Level 4 in Marine Engineering Operations or Marine Vessel Operations.

A series of Open Learning Modules have also been developed which allow fishermen, from deckhands to skippers, to develop their skills and knowledge on board rather than in a classroom.

Prospects

There is a set career path within the fishing industry and deckhands can follow one of two routes:

• Deck route - a deckhand can progress to a ship’s mate, who has additional responsibilities including reading charts and navigating, using more advanced equipment and deputising for the skipper. They then become a skipper and are in overall charge of the boat, dealing with all aspects of health and safety, crew and vessel management.
  
  
• Engineering route - an entrant starts as an engineer watch-keeper and progresses to a second engineer, operating and maintaining all the ship’s mechanical and electrical equipment. Further promotion is to chief engineer, overseeing all engineering work, monitoring instruments and dealing with any engineering emergencies.

With the right qualifications and experience, mates, skippers, and chief engineers can also work on foreign fishing vessels.

It may also be possible to move into areas such as the Merchant Navy, vessel support, fish farming, or oil and gas exploration.

Get Further Information

Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), MCA Infoline, Tutt Head, Mumbles, Swansea, West Glamorgan SA3 4HW  Tel: 0870 6006505  Website: www.mcga.gov.uk

National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations (NFFO), Marsden Road,
Grimsby DN31 3SG  Tel: (014) 7235 2141  Website: www.nffo.org.uk

Northern Ireland Fisheries Federation, 1 Coastguard Cottages, The Harbour, Portavogie,
County Down, Northern Ireland BT22 1EA  Tel: (028) 4277 1946

Scottish Fishermen's Federation, 14 Regent Quay, Aberdeen AB11 5AE
Tel: (012) 2458 2583  Website: www.sff.co.uk

The Sea Fish Industry Authority (including Seafish Training), St Andrew's Dock,
Hull HU3 4QE  Tel: (014) 8232 7837  Website: www.seafish.org

Careers information and vocational qualifications change rapidly. The information in this career note was accurate at the time of going to print, but readers should check it with professional bodies or careers advisers before making decisions.