| Gap years are becoming increasingly popular | | | | Summer is the most lucrative season. There |
| with those aged anywhere from 18 to 32 years | | | | are also catcher/processor vessels that |
| old. It's not just a year between school and | | | | harvest fish, and process them. They float |
| university, when uncertain teenagers, on the | | | | around the fishing grounds, tracking the |
| brink of adulthood, take time off to travel | | | | shoals. Workers are paid hourly, with |
| and experience different cultures. Many young | | | | overtime and bonus incentives that can result |
| people take gap years after university, | | | | in earnings of $800 - $1000 per week. |
| before entering the work world, as a final | | | | |
| fling, away from responsibility and the | | | | Working as a deckhand or harvester is far |
| prospect of paying tax. Gap years are also on | | | | more lucrative. Deckhands usually get a |
| the rise among those experiencing career | | | | percentage of the boat's catch - a crew |
| crises, who are disillusioned with their | | | | share. It's possible to earn in excess of |
| current jobs, and take time off before | | | | $20,000 in less than a month. Tasks include |
| settling into something new. One of the more | | | | net repair, wheel watching, net hauling and |
| interesting and dynamic gap year options is | | | | rigging. Harvesting takes place during |
| to head off to Alaska to be a part of the | | | | autumn, winter, and spring, with the most |
| lucrative fishing industry. | | | | lucrative season being from late January to |
| | | | April. It's possible to work as a deckhand in |
| Gap year opportunities in Alaska are | | | | summer as well, with positions being most |
| relatively rare. But non-residents take 57% | | | | abundant on Salmon trawlers. |
| of the jobs in the fishing industry, so your | | | | |
| chances of a successful application are good. | | | | A typical day on a trawler lasts between |
| Why Alaska? Why fishing? Alaska doesn't sound | | | | eighteen and twenty hours, allows crew four |
| like the most exotic destination in the | | | | or five hours of sleep, and then starts |
| world, and it has a well deserved reputation | | | | again. The most important rule is: never |
| for being ice cold. It's within stones' throw | | | | complain! Jobs on harvesters are sought |
| of the North Pole, after all. Fishing isn't a | | | | after, so if you should be lucky enough to |
| particularly appealing job option either. | | | | get one, show your appreciation with |
| Long hours on rough seas, the unmistakable | | | | dedication and hard work. It's what's |
| smell of fish seeping into your pores. There | | | | expected. As part of the crew, you are an |
| is, however, a lot going for this unusual | | | | integral part of a team, and it's important |
| choice. | | | | to do your share of the work so that the ship |
| | | | can continue to run smoothly. Punctuality is |
| The money is very good, especially if you're | | | | also vital. Sleep is precious on a trawler; |
| fortunate enough to be placed on a | | | | unnecessary dawdling can deprive other |
| crab-fishing vessel. Your board and lodging | | | | members of sleep, which can put lives in |
| is paid for, which means more money in your | | | | danger. |
| pocket. Spring and summer jobs are available | | | | |
| for those who don't like the cold. The | | | | Working in the Alaskan fishing industry can |
| industry isn't limited to fishing trawlers, | | | | provide many varied and unique challenges |
| as there are also positions onshore involving | | | | that, once successfully completed, can |
| processing and packaging, as well as a | | | | improve self-confidence. Physical and mental |
| variety of support jobs. | | | | challenges, competently overcome, prove your |
| | | | stamina and endurance, as well as your |
| When entering the industry, it's easier to | | | | ability to think on your feet. There are |
| make the processing side your first port of | | | | risks and dangers involved, and occasionally |
| call. Processing is done both onshore and | | | | fishermen lose their lives at sea. But you |
| offshore. Offshore processing takes place on | | | | could choke on your morning toast while |
| floating processors, which are usually | | | | rushing out to work. Life is full of hidden |
| anchored in a specific area for some time. | | | | dangers: why not take some head on? |