COM301 Open Polytechnic: Deep Sea Fishing Deckhand Career Article

This article explores the career of a deep sea fishing deckhand, detailing the roles, responsibilities, training requirements, and potential career paths within the commercial fishing industry. It highlights the physical demands and potential hazards of the job, emphasizing the importance of maritime safety and survival skills. The article also discusses the rewarding aspects of the career, including potential salary and opportunities for advancement to positions such as skipper or chief mate. References to relevant sources are included to support the information presented. Desklib provides access to similar solved assignments and resources for students.

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COM301
Open Polytechnic
Jason Hodge
Age: 32
Assignment 1
Write an article
Id: 4312186
Due date: 7/10/18
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Answer 1.
Deep Sea Fishing Career Magazine
Key aspects of the career
In this article, I will be elaborating on what it takes to become a deckhand on a
commercial fishing trawler, what roles and responsibilities there are in the industry and
what further qualifications a deckhand can pursue.
Fishing vessel Deckhands are laborers who perform basic tasks around
commercial voyages for shipping. Deckhands also carry out a range of primary duties
essential to the running and maintenance of a shipping voyage. On the fishing vessels
they perform deck duties in general, repair cables and ropes, they man life rafts, and
they secure and Moore the boats. They also unload fish, maintain fishing gear, and in
some vessels, they clean the catch. The duties of a deckhand can vary depending on
the type of vessel they work on. Those working on sailing ships may have to climb tall
masts and work in the ships rigging, while those working on a charter boat or ferry may
spend more time taking care of passengers, sometimes serving food and drinks.
Sometimes the deckhands can steer the vessels to and from the fishing areas and
sometimes prepare meals for crew members. Regardless of the vessel, all deckhands
assist in keeping the vessel clean and seaworthy. Sometimes the deckhands prepare
the nets, operate the fishing gear to catch fish and tackle fish on the fishing line (Tough,
2014). Depending on the type of vessels deckhands work in, they sometimes are
referred to as scow, tugboat, dredge or ferryboat deckhands. Deckhands have the
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potential of a hefty paycheck because they are usually paid a certain percentage of the
whole catch.
Training and education requirements
There are no specific educational requirements to work as a deckhand. However,
on the job training requirements is provided. One-year experience is required for
trawlermen or women. For a person to be a fishing vessel deckhand, a commercial
fishing license is required. Deckhands can, however, obtain certificates that prove their
competence. These are completed while working at sea. Two relevant entry-level
certificates are Qualified Deck Crew (QDC), and Deck Watch Rating (DWR)." There are
also several institutions in New Zealand providing pre-employment and industry training
for people wanting to start a career in commercial fishing and for people already
employed in the industry (Clarkson, 2014).
A description of what kind of person might be suited to this job
In order to enter this career area potential crew members usually start at pre-
employment training, and you must be medically fit and healthy with good eyesight in
order to get qualified. Deckhands require basic knowledge of maintenance and vessel
operations, have a good understanding of maritime safety practices and have the
physical agility to cope with work that is labor-intensive. Fishing schools and pre-
employment training organizations usually give specialized training to prepare one for
the potential career if suited. During the course is tested mentally and physically to
make sure they are suited for the position on the vessel. When the Vessel Deckhands
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acquire a training license and a boat, they may become skippers. When the deckhands
get additional training, they progress to watch keeper or mate. Deckhands need high
aptitude and technical skills to do practical work. A good vision is critical as it helps in
recognizing signals which are color-coded in the sea. Communication skills and
teamwork is essential because one has to be able to coordinate with the team with them
in the vessel.
A Deckhand Career in the Commercial Fishing Industry
Nothing beats being on the water out at sea you can smell the sea and feel the
sky and the views can be awe-inspiring. As a career plan option working at sea can be
an awesome but. One work is required to work for long hours of up to 14 to 18 hours a
day; Making these seven months a year. For a boat with a good customer base, those
are the established timeliness. For other boats, it's usually less than ten hours. The
other time is spent in preparing the boat which includes cleaning the fish and the vessel.
The time for fishing also depends on what a person is fishing. If a person is sword
fishing, they fish at night. Trips for longlining usually take 28 days and longer, up to sixty
days for larger vessels. For shrimp boats, it's hard to give an average since they could
take day and night to fish. The captain has the least labor-intensive job in a boat. Unlike
the captain, deckhands have a labor-intensive job, and they require more physical
demands than the mental demands (Tough, 2014).
The essential element to a deep sea career is sea survival; one must be aware of
maritime safety issues, health and safety and skills and knowledge are paramount to
one's survival. Fishing has consistently ranked as the deadliest occupation since 1992.
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Workers in this occupation face unique life-threatening hazards including vessel
casualties, falling overboard, flooding and fire emergencies. There are extreme weather
conditions at sea making the risk of injury or death imminent. The sun at sea is also too
hot, and one has to take extra steps to stay healthy. Extreme weather conditions
including cold can kill someone as opposed to the heat. Sometimes also some sea
creatures can prick or other like the shark eat a person, or sometimes get into the
propellers making the job harder than it already is. The salary is very rewarding, and
one usually makes money on land as well at sea (US Beareu of statistics, 2016).
Further Career opportunities a deckhand include Skipper, Chief mate (second in
command), Ship officer Boatswain, able seaman, and a Ship Engineer. What the pay of
deckhands depends on the vessel one is working for. Some vessels give a fixed
percentage while others pay to depend on the percentage of the fishing that is done
(Clarkson, 2014).
Many job opportunities exist for those who want to work in the fishing industry.
However, one needs to put in the hard work in order to rip the benefits. It's a gratifying
job; however, skills and efforts are required.
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References
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2016). Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008–2009.
Tough, P. A. (2014). Speck in the Sea. The New York Times Magazine.
Clarkson, M. (2014). The Fisher Queen: A Deckhand's Tales of the BC Coast. BC
Studies, (181), 150.
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