As a salmon fisherman in Alaska you've been smashed back and forth in rough weather; you've marveled at the graceful violence of the killer whale as it slashed the surface with a hiss. You've followed the flight of an eagle careening downward, talons outstretched toward an eve herring. (Your nets meanwhile yielded a writhing mass of opulent salmon!) You've repaired webbing in a small Indian village with totem pole park. Deer and bear roaming certain beaches no longer astound you. At night you've stood a wheel watch on the run back to home port, passing ferries with their myriad of lights. You've plied onyx seas with a moon that shone thick at your stern. You know the flavor of fresh salmon steaks!
Yet you are not ignorant of the unpleasant sides of fishing. The claustrophobic bunk located down below adjacent the engine room is stuffy and often reeks of diesel. When the deck is layered with thrashing salmon you smart from the burns of jellyfish. A wave at the wrong moment almost sends you reeling overboard. Your wrist has been badly wrenched by a snapping, taut line. You must concentrate on the work at hand to keep your mind and your stomach off the restless horizon. A twenty-hour day is taken in stride; you think of the fat paycheck you'll get at the end of the season.
Fishing means freedom from time clocks, traffic lights, and dress suits, apart from being a lucrative endeavor. But the good money in most fisheries is no gift. The pay may even out with landlocked jobs because the hours are long and because of the seasonal nature of fishing jobs. Certain personal traits should be considered mandatory for a crew member on a fishing boat. You need physical stamina and coordination, some mechanical aptitude, and the ability to get along with people in tight, cramped situations that allow for little privacy. If you think you fill these requirements and you can endure some hardship, then by all means read on.
Getting a Job on a Boat
Whether you try to get aboard a Gulf shrimper, a California tuna boat, or a king crabber in the Bering Sea, if you're a "greenhorn" (never having worked on a fishing boat before) the odds are stacked against your success. The Alaska Department of Labor warns, "Most jobs for fishing crew members require at least basic experience and skills. . . . Finding a job as crew man can be difficult without having some previous connection with fishermen. Generally crews are hired back year after year when they have proved to work well together and to bring in a good catch."
Even if you've never been on a boat in your life, even if you didn't go to college with a skipper's son, you still have a good chance of finding work. Perhaps more than with other pursuits, becoming a fisherman is a matter of being at the right place at the right time. You don't go to sea by writing letters-you must apply in person, and you must be informed. Young men and women have paced the docks of Kodiak, Alaska, for weeks without result, while I know another man who was approached by a skipper his first morning in town and asked if he wanted a job on a boat. Although fate certainly plays a large role, the well-informed green-horn will be more likely to get hired than one who saunters onto the dock for a lark.
Before you head for the nearest harbor, bear several things in mind. Where are the centers of the fishing industry? What sort of fishing boats would be most likely to ask you aboard? When is the best time to hit the various ports? The answers to these questions and more are to follow.
On the basis of climatic considerations, seasonal variations, and the type of fishery involved, you must decide where and when you should go. It is advisable that you already be scouting the waterfront one to two weeks before the season, prior to the highest productivity.
Once you arrive, make a survey of the fishing fleet in the harbor. From studying this chapter, you should be able to recognize boats engaged in the fishery you're interested in. Don't judge a ship by its paint job. Some good skippers still fish on old ragged-looking boats. While experienced captains rarely have difficulty bringing together a well-seasoned crew, one of them may take a liking to you and give you an opportunity to show that you're a hard worker. You'll probably find work on an average or below-average boat.
The Approach
Approach a boat as you would a fenced yard: the dock is the sidewalk, the deck is the lawn, the cabin of the boat is the house. While it would not be proper to go inside the cabin uninvited, it is normally acceptable to go up the gangplank and knock on the cabin door-but only if no one is to be seen on deck. Don't be timid! You have lots of competition.
What do you say? The standard line runs, "Do you know of any boats [be specific: "salmon seiners," for example] that might be short-handed?" Or if you think you are talking to a skipper, the ship's master, "Do you need another deckhand for the season?" If he is at all in the market he will invariably ask if you've ever fished before. Lying means taking a chance; imagine the captain's disgust when he discovers you cannot even coil a line properly. (A caution from the Alaskan Labor Department: "Fishing boat crews are small and each member must be alert and able to quickly perform a variety of shipboard tasks on direction from the captain.") On the other hand, if you tell him the truth he may not even give you a second thought. Consider it from his point of view: fishing is dangerous work, especially for the novice; teaching you takes up valuable time. Fishing gear is very expensive, and improper handling of it can cause it to be damaged. But have faith, many skippers agree that everyone begins as a greenhorn. Certainly there's a limit to truth. No point in alerting the skipper that you get seasick or, worse, that you've never been on a boat before.
A newcomer must play up his other credentials. If you're a good cook (lying is safer here) tell him that; if you have some background in electronics or diesel mechanics, let him know. If the captain seems shorthanded but is stalling, assure him that you'd be willing to "fish for groceries" on your first trip. Though you won't get any pay, you'll have a chance to gain some experience even if he decides to replace you. Never fish for free on the second trip, although you may wish to accept a smaller cut of the catch than the other crew members.
Skippers and fishermen in general are a nonintellectual lot. So, don't come on too strong with sentences that are too well constructed or words that seem too refined. Try to make an impression of seriousness. Skippers don't like immature people. No, you've never worked on a fishing boat before, but you'll give 'er hell! Be aware of local conditions' by talking with fishermen you meet. How was last year's season? Is this season supposed to be good? How much are local canneries paying for their product? Ask questions that show you're genuinely interested. People just walking along the dock should be queried too: "Say, know any boats that're still filling their crews?" Don't be afraid to ask the same gruff Old Salt who was so negative and unfriendly the day before.
Try to make the rounds of all the boats two or even three times a day. Once in the early morning is a good practice, since it shows how sincere you are. As a rule, the professionals are suspicious of outsiders, and the more you show your face around the harbor the more willing they will be to help you. In a smaller town especially, let as many people as possible know you are looking for work on a fishing boat. A hotel clerk, a waitress, a supermarket cashier, any of these may prove valuable contacts. Ask them each time if they have heard of any shorthanded boats. In the evening go to local bars patronized by fishermen and strike up conversations with those around you. Keep your ears perked. Most fishing ports have a harbormaster who maintains the docks and keeps track of the comings and goings of boats. Get acquainted. Let him know why you're nosing around the harbor all the time. Check with him often; he probably knows more about the boats and fishermen than anyone else in town (it's his job). Some harbormaster offices have bulletin boards where you can put up a placard offering your services. A desperate skipper with a crew member too drunk to head out fishing may get in touch with you at the last moment. Have your most important belongings in a semipacked state so that you will be ready to leave at almost any time.
In short, persevere. Pester the local salts until out of despair they agree to take you out on "just one trip." One friendly fisherman advised me, "You gotta bug the heck out of 'em."
Before you accept any job on a fishing boat make sure you and the skipper are in agreement over the financial conditions of the first and following trips. Crew members on nearly all fishing vessels are paid on a share basis. At the end of the season the cannery tallies the value of the total catch and divides the amount into shares. Food and fuel costs of the season are deducted from each crew member's final check in equal amounts. Each crew member usually gets one share. Some members' share depends on their level of experience and responsibility. A greenhorn may receive only a half or quarter percentage for his first trip until he has proven himself a capable worker. The remaining moneys are allotted to the boat and skipper. There is usually no chance about getting ripped off, because it is the cannery or plant which pays you. However, in some fisheries the skipper is an independent agent and pays the crew member himself. During the season you can ask for draws against your final settlement for pocket money.
Observe how the ocean farmers are dressed and be aware of where you can purchase such work garments if you get hired. In most fisheries you will need rubber boots and a suit of "rain gear"; the whole outfit shouldn't cost more than $50 if you shop around.
A final hint-be aware of openings and closings of fishing seasons by checking at the local outlet for State Fish and Game releases. You will then know when fisherman will most likely be looking for crew members. In some states, you'll have to purchase a commercial fisherman's license to work on a boat (in Alaska this permit costs $30 for the nonresident).
Tips on Staying Hired
For a greenhorn desiring to make a good impression on his first trip, a capacity for work is most important. Prepare yourself: the work is backbreaking; you will wake up before dawn; you must learn quickly-fishermen don't like to repeat themselves. Never forget that the captain is boss. He has earned his station, so respect him for his knowledge and his power over you. If you're hired as cook, cater to the skipper's idiosyncrasies and follow his inductions to the letter. The skipper will expect that you get along with the rest of the crew and, as a greenhorn, remember your place. Be observant. Fulfill your duties. Anticipate (bring plenty of Dramamine along-it works). React quickly! And listen!
