Sea Fishing
This Apprenticeship is an excellent way into the industry for anybody who wants to work on fishing boats. These may go out hundreds of miles into the ocean for weeks at a time, often in extremely difficult conditions, chasing the shoals of fish that provide the only income the boats offer. It's a tough industry and not for the fainthearted, but many fishermen wouldn't want to be doing anything else.
The importance of good training is particularly clear in an industry like this. If you don't know what you're doing out at sea, with everything from slippery decks to dangerous equipment posing potential hazards even in calm weather, then you will have problems. This Apprenticeship is the first step on the way to becoming a safe, skilled and reliable worker.
Your first role on a fishing boat will be as a deckhand, which needs both individual and team skills. Your duties are likely to include helping out on bridge watch (steering, navigating and keeping a lookout for hazards); operating and maintaining the fishing gear and other equipment on board; and of course bringing in, processing and storing the catch. The Apprenticeship will help with all of these, and will also cover radio operation and vital health and safety skills.
Job Roles
- Coastguard Watch Assistant/Officer
- Merchant Navy Deck Officer
- Merchant Navy Engineering Officer
- Merchant Navy Rating
- Inshore Tug Deckhand
- Royal Navy Rating
- Fish Farmer
Last Updated: 24/12/2009
