tcram
2010-07-03 16:36:14
Where would be the best port to look for a deck hand job and what month would be the best time to fly up and start pounding the docks? I'm thinking more along the lines for next year. Thanks
I would suggest Sitka in June (or earlier if you prefer). There are a couple hundreds trollers based in Sitka, and a lot of the fisherman from outlying towns will be there in the Spring getting their boats ready. The summer season begins July 1st and almost all skippers looking for help will have someone lined up by then.
tcram
2010-07-04 01:23:12
Thanks for the reply Jon. If a complete greenhorn gets to Sitka early and puts his time in on the docks, is there a good chance at landing a deckhand spot? While I would put more value on the learning experience than the pay, what could a greenhorn expect to make in an average season and how long will the season last? This is assuming that I catch on quick enough for the captain to want to keep me around... :D
You are putting Jon on the spot. I will try to shed a little insight from running crews for many years.The answer to the length of the season is that you would be active from the first of July until at least the 20th of September (with the possibility of a short fish management break for coho escapement in early August). There are just too variables to a fishery from year to year to give you an reliable answer on how much you could expect to make in a dollar figure. The most obvious variable is the strength of the salmon runs, the next is the fishing experience and level of success of the boat that hires you. Somewhere in the mix is the crew percentage the skipper is willing to pay a person with no experience that he has to train from scratch (which can be a distraction when fishing starts). his percentage is calculated roughly the same on all boats but there are some things that differ enough to have a significant effect on your bottom line.
If you are walking the docks there are some things you have to consider in advance. Ask yourself what would make you an attractive prospect over some of the other people making the same rounds at the same time. Everybody has a "line" about why they are valuable - work on yours. Keep it short but skippers like (need) to hear about past work experience. If you don't have it - admit it. Honesty is of value on a vessel with cramped quarters and you may be surprised with a response like - "I would rather train you myself as a green horn with how I run this boat than have to hear about 'how it was done on "so and so's" boat last season". Strongly consider getting a CPR and Red Cross-type First Aid card. Mentioning that card as a personal "plus" during conversations with skippers makes a BIG difference. Don't hit Sitka or any similar town short on cash. You may have a chance to enroll in a pre-season AMSEA course to learn the basics of Emergency Survival on Commercial Fishing Vessels. It is a great hands-on vessel safety program with excellent staff and I recommend that all prospective searching deckhands to work that into their pre-season itinerary. (AMSEA training courses help you build a local information network.) Get into some semblance of shape otherwise the long hours will kick your butt. Have a complete kit when you get to the boat - understand what quality of clothing you must produce to remain comfortable and reasonably dry while out on deck or down in the ice in the fish hold. Good luck on the search next season.