Fishing boat deckhand

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

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Geography - Fishing boat deckhands need to understand weather patterns, tides, ocean currents, and coastal geography to work safely and find productive fishing grounds. Knowledge of marine environments and how seasonal changes affect fish populations is a key part of the job.
• Environmental Science - Fishing boat deckhands work within a marine ecosystem and need to understand how fishing practices affect fish stocks and ocean habitats. Awareness of sustainability, quotas, and conservation regulations is increasingly important in the modern fishing industry.
• Biology - Fishing boat deckhands sort and process different species of fish and shellfish, so understanding marine biology helps them identify catches accurately. Knowledge of fish behaviour, breeding cycles, and habitats also helps crews locate and target the right species.
• Design and Technology - Fishing boat deckhands repair damaged nets, maintain fishing gear, and keep equipment in working order. Being confident with tools, materials, and practical problem-solving is essential when things break down at sea and need fixing quickly.

Also relevant

• Food Preparation and Nutrition - Fishing boat deckhands process and store catches to keep them fresh and safe for sale. Understanding food hygiene, correct storage temperatures, and how fish deteriorates helps ensure the catch reaches market in the best possible condition.
• Physical Education - Fishing boat deckhands do physically demanding work – hauling nets, lifting heavy loads, and working long hours in tough conditions. A good level of fitness, stamina, and body awareness helps them cope with the physical challenges and reduce the risk of injury.
• Engineering - Fishing boat deckhands operate mechanical equipment like winches, cranes, and hydraulic gear used to deploy and retrieve nets. Understanding how these systems work helps with day-to-day operation and basic troubleshooting when equipment malfunctions at sea.
• Business - Fishing boat deckhands who progress to become skippers need to plan trips, manage supplies, and sell catches to wholesalers and customers. Understanding how to run a small business, manage costs, and negotiate prices becomes important as they take on more responsibility.