How do you get a job on an Alaskan Crab or Fishing Boat?

The first step to getting a job in Alaska on a fishing or crabbing boat is getting there. I have worked on 2 purse seining boats in Alaska and have gotten the jobs in 2 different places.

The first time I bought a plane ticket to Ketchikan, AK and some camping gear and flew out there and camped until I got a job. There are other places in AK to go to, but Ketchikan and Sitka are probably the best places.

I would suggest going down to the Ward Cove cannery in Ketchikan in mid may and start walking the docks and asking captains and crew members if they have or know of any spots available on any of the boats. There is also a large marina in the center of town where a lot of the boats dock too. You will be expected to help get the boat ready to fish before the season starts a couple of weeks later.

If you are diligent about this and a hard worker things will work out for you.

As for crabbing boats, a lot of them tend to the salmon fishing boats during the summer salmon season. This means that they transport the fish the salmon fisherman catch between the fishing ground and the canneries. You will often be able to find a job on a crabbing boat if you are already salmon fishing during the summer months. Crab season starts later in the fall when salmon fishing is done.

I can also suggest trying to get a job on a salmon boat at Fisherman’s terminal in Seattle. Many of the boats that fish AK winter in Seattle and then make the trip up there at the beginning of the season. Its a beautiful trip up and if you’re worried about getting stuck in Alaska its a nice alternative.