Unemployed - thought of fishing trawlers?

GlynD

I've been watching various shows on telly recently about fishing trawlers from various parts of the UK. This is a job I did as a young man and I was wondering if the industry was still as buoyant (no pun intended) as it was?

I did a Google search and I see there is mandatory training required now - shown here. It's much the same as the training I was given by my own skippers but it seems to be a requirement now.

There are even websites advertising for crew on trawlers like this one in Co Down. I see they have their own special "Share Fisherman's JSA" which would cover them for days not at sea through storms or whatever. That's much the same as in my day when, if the fleet was kept in because of heavy weather, the bru would be full of hands all signing on for the day.

I'd say the best way to get a berth these days would still be the old way whereby you go down to the harbour or into a pub in the town's main street, enquiring of which skippers need crew, then go to the skipper's house and tell him you need a berth.

Are there any members here who are working as trawler crew? Is there anybody who's unemployed and hasn't thought of this outlet for a good paying job?

Old_Git

I may be wrong but with fishing quotas I would think this would be dying out .

oldhand

If your ever near kilkeel you will notice the trawlers are a lot larger now than say 20 years ago when lots of smaller boats were in harbour.I think the quota system has made it a lot harder to make a very good living but watch early monday morning when the crew arrives and you can still see some new bmw,mercedes etc..,also I think with the immigrant population in kilkeel these days quite a few of them have taken board on trawlers so jobs aboard are not plentiful.
Its still a tough and dangerous way to earn a living though.

GlynD

Judging by the shows I see on TV the industry is crying out for crew. Mind you, from seeing the state of the English boats I can see why. The NI and Scottish boats are much cleaner and more inviting.

I tell you something. If I was fit and able to I'd love to take a few trips every year to top up my coffers. The money's fantastic on the boats, especially at the herring.

duggan1

This all sounds a bit fishy GlynD, are you spinning us a line? We wren't prawn yesterday you know.

However I know that fishing fleets dolphinately scaled back a few years ago but anyfin is possible I suppose. Might even be looking at a change of job myself so let minnow if you have any joy.

GlynD

duggan1 wrote: »

This all sounds a bit fishy GlynD, are you spinning us a line? We wren't prawn yesterday you know.

However I know that fishing fleets dolphinately scaled back a few years ago but anyfin is possible I suppose. Might even be looking at a change of job myself so let minnow if you have any joy.

You've got no sole or you wouldn't have made that post.

Cherryscone

Maybe a red Herring?or you could be Codding us .

GlynD

Are you people doing this on porpoise to ruin my thread about getting jobs on fishing boats?

Cherryscone

You could change your user name to The Fishermans Friend

GlynD

So is any unemployed person going to be seeking the big money at sea?

emmett123

GlynD wrote: »

So is any unemployed person going to be seeking the big money at sea?

never caught anything when ordinary pole fishing so not much point for a land lubber like me. However i do love how this discussion is so MSE now!