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.

