Nope. Not for entry level. That’s after years as AB, moving up to mate, or as part of the SMP program for maritime academy students.
For an entry level guy like you, it’s all learning about mooring lines, heaving lines, knots and splicing, ships nomenclature, leaning how to operate lift trucks, how to lash down cargo, etc.
And all the while you are taught by experienced mates, who are watching to see if you have what it takes, and who are not shy about giving you a polite heave-ho if they think you are lacking.
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Working for Coastal would be great experience for you. It is a guaranteed paycheck for an agreed amount. Cargo handling in port can be a lot of work. If you are interested in a seagoing career it’s a great opportunity.
Fishing in Bristol Bay is more speculative. On the best boats you would probably make very good money in four weeks. On not so good boats you would make less money over maybe 10 weeks. A terrible boat might break down a lot and Might not catch many fish. you might not make anything.
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So CTI would be a better bet? Honestly the crew share thing is very intriguing, but as you said a bad boat may not catch anything. I think I have an idea of what a fishing boat deckhand does all day. What about a freightman? Do they while floors all day?
Seems like in general, the job is slightly less rough. Also, if I go for 24days, and I like it, can I go for another 24 right away? This question is probably more suited for freighterman1 but I’m sure he’ll see it. Also, I get out of college in June, will there be any issues with scheduling? Thank you
RE: Working on an Aleutian freighter
- Drop by the office in Seattle, or mail a note asking for a copy of the graphic novel, “Life at Sea”. They’ll give you a copy, free of charge. It details an entire voyage in full color.
Coastal Transportation
ATTN: Vessel Operations Assistant
4025 13th Ave W
Seattle, WA 98119-1350
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Starting in June you could easily get two voyages in, likely three, before September. If you do well one year, you can get schedule for the next.
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Mindset is everything. It’s a job, not a paid vacation. The few times college students have been hired (other than academy students) they’ve usually been failures. It’s not because of physical strength or endurance. It’s because of mindset. The average person is bound and determined to be mediocre, and a college education is designed, in part, to convince you you are more than mediocre, which people rarely are. Work at CTI forces you to rise above mediocrity; an unforgivable sin in the eyes of most people.
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Working for Coastal is a great opportunity.
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Yeah sounds like it is. I’ll still see if i can get on a gillnetting boat, and if I cant find any, I’ll apply for the Coastal! For some reason gillnetting sounds more exciting=)
Plus the videos on youtube make it looks easy hahah. But I know its a tough job
It depends how many openers you get and what the run is like. If ypu can find someone that pays for your travel, thats 900 out of your paycheck. Then if the boat takes a crew share of chow out, thats a few more dollars. I made 1300 there one year in 4 or 5 weeks, but 2 years later they were averaging out 9000
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9000 for the whole season? I was told its more like 12k-15k for 3 months.
Or do you mean 9000 in 4-5 weeks?
First I wouldn’t believe everything you hear. Fishing varies from season to season. It depends on what type of fishing you are doing, how the runs are that year, and what price per pound you are getting. When I was up in Bristol Bay, my entire season was about 5 weeks long. We only fished for sockeye. Not sure what its like there now, but not many boats fished for silvers. If you are on a seiner fishing Prince William Sound or somewhere, you will probably be trying to slay the pinks. I dont remember how long that season is. Also, every boat is different. If you get a captain in Bristol Bay that doesnt want to fight the line, its going to cost you money. There is no guarantee you will make any money. If the run is bad enough, you could actually owe money. That doesn’t happen often but it does happen.
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well i have no clue about this stuff so i kinda listen to everyone=) I understand it varies, but is there no average? Also, this may sound a little funny, but since the salmon season is like 4-5 weeks, not 90 days like i was told, and starts at the end of June(college ends on 24th), couldn’t I technically do that and when the season is over, still go on one voyage with CTI? I have till late September, I feel like if the answer is no, then this question will seem real dumb=)
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Different types of boats have different seasons. For instance, if you could get on a troller, they will often travel the coast from California up to Alaska depending on what permits they have. They can work the entire summer. I was just telling you what I knew about Bristol bay from my past.
You are young. Have some adventure. From everything I know about Coastal Transportation and the guys I know/knew that work/worked there, it’s a good place to work. Not sure what you’re doing in college, but the long term benefits of working somewhere like Coastal Transportation could make you give some serious thought to career goals. Maybe try to arrange a visit to look at their vessels. They are down near the Ballard bridge. Good luck.
Probably.
I’ve heard of guys that have worked two months and owed money. If you get on with a really good outfit it might be more guaranteed money but most fishing is a gamble.
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Ok, last question, I’ve already asked too many))) When do I start looking for boats/walking docks for the summer salmon season?
Gillnetting up there can be no sleep for a month, or cushy, all depends on the openers. Great boats make bank, good make decent. I skipped last year due to covid and the price ended up being way lower than 2019. It should rebound for 2021, it’s been on the upswing for a while. There have also been record runs so they’re due for a pullback. It’s a wonderful experience. You’d have to end up on a terrible boat to not make anything. Line fighting can be brutal, my captain opted out of it in 2018 and we did fine. Your schedule might be tight, but some boats will bring on an extra deckhand for the peak (1st to 2nd week of July) so if you can’t find anything offer your services up for that. Look for boats with two permits, they tend to make the most $$ and will need extra hands…My captain liked to be crewed up by Feb at the latest. There’s always the last minute scramble, but doesn’t hurt to start networking/reaching out…
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