Fishing vessel skipper jobs

Fishing vessel skippers are the individuals in control of the crew aboard fishing vessels that go at sea.

How to progress into

Investigate the many entry points available for this position.

You could qualify for this position if you have:

a college course

an internship or traineeship

working on filling this position

College

If you are between the ages of 16 and 19, you can consider beginning your career as a deck worker on a fishing boat. Through a college that specializes in the fishing business, you may get a diploma in marine fishing while also gaining practical experience at sea.

After gaining sufficient experience, you will be able to get the necessary knowledge and skills for skippering by learning on the job.

Entry requirements

This path does not have any predetermined prerequisites for access, although having the following could make it easier for you to get in:

For a level 2 programme, you will need at least two GCSEs, or their equivalent, with marks ranging from 9 to 3 (A* to D).

Apprenticeship

The following are examples of advanced apprenticeships that are applicable to this role:

member of the crew of a workboat

Boatmaster

The officer in charge of the watch

The completion of one of these apprenticeships usually takes around two years and involves a combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction.

Entry requirements

To be successful in obtaining an apprenticeship, it is recommended that you have the following:

An advanced apprenticeship requires a minimum of five GCSEs with grades ranging from 9 to 4, or the equivalent, including English and arithmetic.

Work

When you first get started at sea, you might work as a deckhand and learn on the job. Before you can captain a boat, you will typically need to have roughly 18 months of experience under your belt. In addition to this, you will be required to have completed the obligatory basic safety training for:

sea survival

putting out fires

safety and health concerns

emergency medical care and treatment.

What must be done

Determine the talents that will be necessary for you to succeed in this job.

Competence and familiarity

You will require:

familiarity with modes of transportation, associated expenses, and potential advantages

leadership skills

perseverance as well as the capacity to maintain composure amid difficult circumstances

the capacity to take constructive criticism while maintaining one's composure under intense conditions

familiarity with matters pertaining to public safety and security

the capacity to act on one's own initiative.

the ability to move one's body, coordination, and dexterity are all examples of physical talents.

the capacity to use discretion and choose among available options

should have a working knowledge of how to use a computer or other hand-held device for simple activities.

What you'll do

Learn the day-to-day responsibilities that are expected of you in this capacity.

Day-to-day duties

Skippers of various sorts of fishing vessels are employed on the following types of boats:

fishing boats that operate near to the coast are called inshore vessels.

boats with a limited area of operation, which are restricted to fishing within a predetermined region off the UK coast

limitless area boats, fishing on remote grounds inside international seas.

In your day-to-day tasks you may:

Make plans for fishing trips.

operate and maintain equipment

maneuver the ship in the water.

maintain the health and safety of the ship and her crew.

collaborate closely with onshore agents to bring the catch ashore and market it.

Ensure that fishing expeditions are profitable before going on them.

Make it a point to comply with all of the marine rules and international fishing restrictions on every fishing excursion.

Make use of technological equipment for navigating, finding fish, and keeping an eye on the conditions of the onboard store.

Working environment

It's possible that your job is physically hard, takes place outside in all kinds of weather, and is crowded.

There is a possibility that you may need to wear protective clothes.