Fishing boat deckhand
Deckhands work on fishing boats and trawlers. They operate and maintain fishing gear, nets and lines, and process catches as they're taken in.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a fishing boat deckhand, you'll:
- prepare the boat and load supplies before setting out
- operate fishing gear that controls the nets and lines
- sort, process and store catches
- unload catches at harbourside
- complete watch duty shifts
- repair damaged nets and maintain equipment
- wash down the decks and keep work areas clear of hazards
You may land catches at the end of each day, or spend several days at sea, fishing deeper waters, offshore.
Working environment
You could work on a boat.
Your working environment may be physically demanding, outdoors in all weathers, cramped and you may spend nights away from home.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could work towards becoming a skipper, with overall responsibility for:
- planning trips and organising supplies
- navigating to fishing grounds
- selling catches to wholesalers and customers
- managing crew and vessel safety
You could use your experience to move into jobs like harbour tug work and port operations, or take up a career in the Merchant Navy.
You could also train in mechanical, electrical or marine engineering, and become an engineer on a fishing vessel or other type of marine craft.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of food production methods
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to use your initiative
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- persistence and determination
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- be over 16 years of age
- have a good level of fitness
- complete basic sea safety training – STCW – at a centre approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
- training through a professional body
You may be able to do a course in maritime studies at a fishing industry training college. Once complete, you could apply for work as a trainee deckhand on a fishing vessel.
On a course, you'll learn:
- deck, ropes and fishing gear operation
- how to store a catch
- basic navigation skills
- vessel maintenance
You'll also get training in sea safety and first aid.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
More Information
You could apply to do a Fisher Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship can take up to 2 years to complete.
It combines training at sea with onshore study at a college or learning provider.
You could also apply for a place on a Ship's Master Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, if you want to train to become a skipper. This apprenticeship takes around 4 years.
Entry requirements
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
More Information
If you have experience of working or training on ships or boats, and the correct safety certificates, you may be able to find work. You could contact vessel skippers directly or fishing crew agencies, and train on the job.
You may be able to do the Introduction to Commercial Fishing course, which is backed by Seafish, who support the UK's fishing industry.
The course is for anyone looking to work on a commercial vessel. It covers basic industry skills and knowledge, along with 4 mandatory training units that you'll need to work onboard a boat:
- sea survival
- fire fighting
- health and safety
- first aid
Career tips
You'll need to be willing to move if necessary, as approved training centres are located near to established fishing ports around the country.
Further information
You can find more information about careers in the fishing industry from Seafish.
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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.