Com 301: Empirical Research In Assessment Answers

Answer:

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 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 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. 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.

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.