How to become a Fishing Vessel Deckhand. Read through our comprehensive job guide to learn more about this career.
What does a Fishing Vessel Deckhand do?
As a deckhand, you would be part of the crew on sea-going fishing vessels. These could range in size from a small trawler with five or six people, to a factory ship with between 20 and 30 onboard. You may work around UK coastal waters (known as the ‘limited area’), or travel to more distant fishing grounds (‘unlimited area’) such as the North Atlantic.
Your duties whilst at sea would include:
- preparing the deck areas and fishing equipment
- operating the gear that sends out the nets
- bringing the nets back in with the catch
- sorting, gutting and storing the fish
- unloading the catch on return to the harbour
- repairing damaged nets and maintaining equipment
- helping to make sure the vessel is kept clean and tidy
- cooking for crew members (on some vessels).
As an experienced deckhand you could work as a ‘mate’, with extra responsibilities, such as reading charts and navigating, operating the radio, using electronic fish-finding equipment and deputising for the vessel’s skipper. See the job profile for Fishing Vessel Skipper for more details about this role.
- Fishing Vessel Skipper
Working Hours
Your hours would vary according to the size of your boat and whether you were working close to shore or further out to sea. For example, on a larger trawler you could be away at sea from a few days to several weeks at a time.
The job is physically demanding, and you could be working in extreme weather conditions, including storms and gales. Conditions onboard may be cramped, depending on the type and age of your vessel and the number of crew.
How much does a Fishing Vessel Deckhand earn?
Salary and pay information:
- Trainee salaries can be from around £14,000 a year, depending on age.
- Experienced deckhands can earn up to £28,000 a year.
You may be paid on a ‘share’ basis, which means the greater the value of the catch landed, the more money each crew member gets as a share of the total.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
Entry Requirements
To become a trainee deckhand you must be at least 16. You do not need any specific qualifications, but you must:
- be physically fit
- have good eyesight and hearing
- be able to work well with others.
Most people get into this career through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit the Apprenticeships website.
- Apprenticeships
If you already have some sea-going experience, you may be able to find work by contacting a vessel skipper directly and training on the job.
You can find a list of approved training providers, plus information on the fishing industry and related careers through Seafish. See the Seafish website for more details.
- Seafish
Training and Development
When you start work you would receive training in the four Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) statutory basic training requirements – sea survival, health and safety, first aid and fire fighting. You can find out more about this training on the MCA website.
- Maritime and Coastguard Agency
You could also work towards the Level 2 Certificate in Marine Vessel Support for Seagoing Deckhands.
With experience and further training, you could progress to mate and then to skipper.
Skills and Knowledge
- good practical skills
- the ability to work as part of a close-knit team, often in challenging conditions
- an awareness of health and safety
- the ability to follow instructions
- good communication skills
- good technical ability (if working as a mate)
- a willingness to work away at sea, possibly for long periods.
Job Opportunities
The UK fishing industry is mainly based around the Scottish islands, the east coast of Scotland, and the east and south-west coasts of England.
As an experienced deckhand you could become a ‘mate’ or engineer, then train to become a fishing vessel skipper. If you qualify as an inshore skipper you could operate your own small boat (up to 16.5m). To skipper larger vessels you would need further training.
You could also use your experience to move into related areas, such as the Merchant Navy, support or standby vessels, harbour tug work, fish farming, oil or gas exploration or passenger ferries.
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