Preparing for the Commercial Fishing Season in Alaska
How does a commercial fisherman prepare for their fishing season? There are a number of things that a fisherman must do in order to prepare for the long, hard fishing season. Basically, the fisherman must prepare for the season on two fronts: home and the fishing boat.
Home Preparations
Preparation at home consists of preparing his family for the separation. Fishermen are often gone for weeks, sometimes months at a time and the long separations can be hard on families. However, the fisherman is able to leave knowing that their spouse is taking care of things on the home-front. For some tips for families with small children, check out this great article from Parents.com.
If a fisherman does not have a family, then he or she must make sure that bills are covered while they’re away and that mortgage or rent payments are being met. If your home will be left empty while you are away, check out some helpful tips for keeping your house safe and the bills low while you are away.
Work Preparations
LICENSING AND PERMITS
Preparation on the boat is quite a bit more involved. All commercial fishermen have to be licensed in order to do their jobs, however, there are some jurisdictions that may require seasonal permits to fish for a particular type of fish. Making sure all the proper licenses are in place is an essential first step before any vessel sails. For Captains, making sure all personnel are properly trained and licensed is an additional task that needs to be fulfilled. Click here for a list of licensing and permits you’ll need before heading to Alaska.
FISHING BOAT CHECK
Once all licensing is in place, the boat itself needs to be prepared and loaded with all the needed equipment for the season. The boat goes through an extensive check to ensure that all equipment is working properly from basic engine performance to navigational and communication tools. Fishing nets, rods and traps are also loaded onto the boat along with food, first-aid and medical supplies for the crew. Many of the supplies for the fishing season are shipped from various locations across the US and even abroad. A company like Alaska Air Forwarding that specializes in shipping large supplies and fishing equipment to Alaska is critical to ensure a smooth start to the fishing season.
ONGOING SUPPORT
Every captain and crew hopes for a smooth and uneventful season with no problems, however, problems do occur and the best way to deal with them is to have a plan in place prior to sailing. Alaska Air Forwarding has been serving the fishing industry since 1965, making sure that Alaska fishing boats can be serviced quickly and efficiently once they’re out to sea. Our goal is to get any replacement parts to the boat as quickly as possible so that the fishermen do not lose any valuable time while at sea. We’ve been able to airfreight a new engine to a trawler boat in order for them to continue their work with no interruptions. If it’s a major part that is needed, AAF will get it there and keep the fishing boats working until it’s time for them to come home.
With some planning and a good support system, the process of leaving for the fishing season can be a smooth one.
Need help shipping your equipment to Alaska for the fishing season? Contact Alaska Air Forwarding to learn more.
