GuttersnipeXL

Alright, I want to go to Alaska this coming spring, and work on a fishing boat. I've been playing with this idea for awhile, I'd like to make it a reality. My reasons for wanting to do this are as follows:

- I've always wanted to go there. I lived in Bellingham Washington for some time and was really digging the Pacific Northwest, I made it as far as Kamloops, BC, but thats it. The further north I went, the farther I wanted to go...money ran out...

- The whole experience of road trippin' out there, at least to Bellingham...then I'll hop on a ferry.

- The experience of working one of the most dangerous jobs around.

- To get the hell out of my dead end job and town I live in.

- Lastly, the money.


Has anybody ever done this type of work before, or know somebody who has? Does anybody have a boat that needs an extra worker?...(In Alaska).
I'm serious about doing this, and want to make it an awesome experience, so any tips would be great!

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When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. HST

JBX

First watch "The Perfect Storm" Then the discovery channel special on, as you said, The Most Dangerous Jobs. If you want a dangerous job just work the night shift at 7/11 in South L.A.. You wont even have to get cold.

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"Youth and Strength is no match for Age and Treachery"

krwlz

Dude, if thats your thing, go for it...But personaly, I'd rather sit my ass in my nice warm leather chair, in front of the fireplace with a book while the weather is nasty.



But thats just me....

As far as money goes...cant lose there. This kid I work with was actualy talking about much the same thing not to long ago.

I told him much the same thing as I am telling you...

Enjoy the frozen saltwater on your beard this spring, while I am studying my ass off so I dont have too....

Plan9Senior

I have a friend who used to go to Alaska every summer and work at the cannery. He would help out the fishing boats as they come in. They pay very well, you get to experience Alaska, they always are looking for help, and it is a lot less dangerous.

Wile E

I actually have a good friend that owns his own Salmon fishing boat and does exactly that. Its hard work, long days, but is nothing like A Perfect Storm. I wish I had done, lord knows the offer was given to me. I, however, have difficulty referring somebody for a position that I do not know. If it turns out bad, I look like the bad guy. But if you are serious, I could find out if he is looking for new help and work out a way for you to contact him and he can decide on his own. PM me if serious.

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"We got no food, no clothes...our pets HEADS ARE FALLIN' OFF!"

KeyserSoze

This is the smart way, go work in a cannery first and then you will be able to see more of Alaska. I've been there and its B E A U T I F U L!!

Working on a fishing boat is HARD and dangerous work and I really don't think they will take just anyone off the street without some sort of experience.

But I will 100% say........GO NORTH YOUNG MAN!!

You will be amazed at the beauty that state has to offer to your eyes

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THERE IS NO KEYSER SOZE!!

lafemmefatale

working in a cannery is the the most tedious job around. I guess it depends on what you do, but the entry level lowly labouring work. SoooooooOOOOOoooooooo boring, if you're looking for adventure, cannery work is the dead opposite.

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-poor is the man whose pleasure depends on the permission of another-

Giant Hamburger

Hail Future Fishmonger!

I have head tale of those who go to the Alaskan fisheries never to return. Once you leave the nurturing arms of modern civilization you never know what could happen. You may serve some inscrutable alien taskmaster whose hidden agenda may include your own murder! Perhaps you will stumble upon their dark secrets on an inopportune evening walk. Maybe your precious DNA will prove to have the proper provenance for your scientist overlord to conduct unspeakable experiments. It could be that it will just be time to harvest their human minions for the yearly blood ritual. These are just a few of the things I have heard "on the street."

Take this tiny squeaky hamburger.

If you get into trouble, squeak it three times and shout my name to the sky. I will hear your call and I will come and save you.
I hope it works out for you.
-GH

redravin40

I've worked on a boat and a cannery.
As long as you don't mind painful, mind numbing, work and smelling like fish all the time it's not bad.
Having lived in Alaska all my life I can tell you that the romance of it tends to wear out fast.
It cost a lot more to live up here and while you might make good money it is easy to spend it all fast.
You need contacts and knowing the right people goes a long way toward avoiding death.
If nobody else seems to want to work a certain boat even though the money is great, don't work it.
Bad captains or owners and shoddy equipment are what get you killed.
Good luck and have fun.
This is a truly wonderful place as long as you keep your wits about you.

bundy

what an incredible adventure you will have.
i´m seriously jealous.

bloody hard work.
but what an experience.

go for it.

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Ohayo!!!

Fifteen Short

I had to post these

GuttersnipeXL

Thanks for the helpful replies so far...I'm taking this all into consideration.

Giant Hamburger....your post concerns me...just a little. Thanks for the squeaky hamburger!

Wile E...I'll be in touch....

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When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. HST

Giant Hamburger

Hail Extra Large Guttersnipe!

Do not be overly concerned by my hyperbolic ramblings. It is just my overly dramatic way of saying, “be careful on your adventure.” There are many who would take advantage of the uninitiated when it comes to migratory and seasonal work, be it Alaskan fisheries, Hawaiian pineapple harvests, etc. Good luck and I will listen for the squeaks.
-GH

mydragonfido

Go for your dreams!!! I hope it works out for you and stay safe!!!

scansinboy

Have you read "Into The Wild" by John Krakauer?

Seems like you have a bit of the ol' wanderlust in you, just like the Main Charecter, Chris McCandless.
He went up to Alaska, and well i don't want to ruin it for you, But what the hey, since it's on the cover of the book...
he died.

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Stare At The Sun

You're ballsy, ill give you that, but i really do wish you the best, i wanna do something like this, except i wanna be an arms dealer in egypt or some shit, after backpacking in europe for a few years

cj2112

redravin's post is right on the money. If you decide to do this, understand right up front that it is dangerous, hard work, long hours, and miserable conditions. You will be expected to pull your own weight (meaning work your ass off). Make friends with the guys who have been doing this a while. Their experience will, at the very least, make the season more comfortable, and possibly save your life. Don't expect to go sit on your ass on a boat for a couple months and get paid an outrageous sum of money to do so. The money is good, because you have to be a little friggin crazy to do the job. Best of luck, if you take this job it will be an experience you will never ever forget (and I mean that in a good way)

Boo

Why do the fishing thing? There are other jobs that are seasonal that are all over the state. I live in Anchorage and see the road construction, home construction (electrician, plumber, carpenter) and landscape people HIDING from work because they are SWAMPED all summer.

Laters,
Boo

GuttersnipeXL

I'm still researching a lot of this stuff. It's a definent, I just have to learn as much as I can first...I know people in Seattle who I've contacted and they said they would be more than happy to put me up for awhile. Which is great...it's sort of half way between me and my destination.

Boo...pretty good opportunities in those fields as well?
I like when people hide from work...it means more work, more hours, more pay for me!

I'll keep this updated as I progress towards my dream.

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When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. HST

gonadman

An excellent book. Definately a good read for those with a wandering soul. Shows you how easy it is to get in over your head.

Saw a documentary about fishing for king crab I think it was, out of Alaska. Looked like the hardest fricken work I could ever imagine.

Good luck to you. Follow your dreams as the opportunity may never present itself again. Above all, keep your wits about you all the time...

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-Carlos Castaneda

Alaska_Man

I have fished for 11 years on various southeast salmon boats. Some years the money is amazing and other years your making jsut enough to make it.
The movie Perfect storm is not realistic at all. If you ever go fishing you will understand this.

Do not work in a cannery it sucks, you only make money in one because you have to work so much.
Go work on a boat and you will appreciate it.

GuttersnipeXL

I've been on alaskajobfinder.com a bunch, just researching and whatnot. What would you say is this best way to hook up a deckhand job. I'm noticing that most captains require at least some experience. I've never done this before so I would probably have to rely on my labor history to get a shoe in? What would you say?

I don't have much interest at all in working in a cannery, but if I have to do it to gain some experience, I will.

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When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. HST