Alaskan Factory Trawler

[Mayfly]

So I think i'm leaving town. I got a line on a job in Alaska working on a large trawler processing fish. The hours are long and the work is boring, but after my 90 day contract is up i'll be coming home with 10K.

The job is processing the days catch below deck. I was just wondering if anyone knows anyone that has done this or maybe has done it themselves. It's not working at a cannery on shore and I won't be working on the deck of any of these ships. Its for one of the largest corporations in the North Pacific and they claim to have the largest and safest ships out there. Any info is appreciated......I'm signing the contract in less than a week! Thanks!!

[buzbunni]

Good for you Mayfly!

I'd encourage you to try to get a job as a deckhand/crewmember topside on one of the fishing boats, but I know it's not for everyone. True, it can be dangerous, but you'll get paid more $$$ and(at least for me) the adventure was more than worth it. I think every angler should experience commercial fishing. It's quite a trip. Good luck and be safe. When you don't think you can make it another hour...hang in there, you can make it to the end.

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SERIOUSLY! It was THIS big!

[fivebucks]

Mayfly,
I worked quite a few years in the canneries to pay for college and then to get away and experience Alaska after 5 years in the business world. I have never worked the barges but have had friends from up there work them. They are safe but you are right it will be boring work. Make sure you have plenty of good wool socks and buy a pair of extra tuff brand rubber boots when you get to Anchorage. They are spendy but they will save your feet. I still have my pair that I used up there in the early 90's and I still use them all the time. Bring some long johns and wool sweaters. Stay away from sweatshirts or anything cotton. I hope you like pollock cause I'm pretty sure that's what you'll be processing. When you get back you can say you may have processed that fish sandwich from McDonalds that you're eatting. The barges aren't much different from the land based canneries except that you can't leave to spend you bucks. If you can spare the time try to get up there early to do a little silver salmon fishing. Good luck and enjoy the experience! P.S. Is the job with Icicle?

[Mayfly]

Thanks for the replies and especially the encouraging words. All my friends think i'm an ***** but I am going forward. I'm not exactly sure of the name of the company. There is a couple names on the paperwork and I won't know everything until Monday. I'll let you know. Thanks again!

Anyone else with any info feel free to chime in.

[tank775]

Hey hows it going guys? For the person that has done this, is this work really hard? There is this company called Glacier Bay(Kodiak Division) that im very interested in, they pay 5000 a month and they also say the have the safest ships available and everything is very corporate. I was wondering if this is the company you worked for or for the person who is going, is this the company that you are going for? Thanks and God Bless.