Deck Hand

Congratulations! You are now employed as Deck Hand on a Grimsby trawler.

Listen to the audio clip below to hear a fellow Deck Hand talking about your new job.

Average wage: £6.2s.2d per week. Around £145 in today’s money.

Average hours: 20 hours a day. Up to 70 hours without sleep when fishing.

Main duties:

• Assist in shooting and hauling the trawl nets.
• Gut and wash the fish.
• Take bridge watches, keeping the wheelhouse manned.
• Repair damaged trawling equipment, mend nets, splice ropes and wires.
• Operate the ships equipment including the winch and windless.
• Keep the ship clean and tidy. Polish the brasses and woodwork. Scrub and whiten the deck.
• Carry out any other duties given by the Mate, Skipper, or senior crew members.