Alaskan Crab Fishing

[beefcake]

Originally posted by BBAddict
I suppose a salary of 50-60/hr goes a lot further in Alaska than here. That really isn't that great a salary in most cities.

Well for me and most people I know, $8k-$9k a month is a lot, i'll take it over my $2k a month any day. On the bright side, i'll get to ride a snow mobile to work everyday, and sit out in the snow and drink chivas like on the commercials. Feel like Rocky 4, training in the snow.

[Puddles]

We've been watching the show here too. They're gonna start up the next season's show next and by the looks of it, there were a lot of guys in the water this time.

[Bouncer]

Originally posted by beefcake
I notice she hasn't been on here lately.

No she hasnt. She used to get on at work all the time. With her new job she really has no time.

[blm]

Originally posted by BBAddict
I suppose a salary of 50-60/hr goes a lot further in Alaska than here. That really isn't that great a salary in most cities.

Are you kidding me?!? That is a lot of money anywhere!

[Primal Instinct]

That show is awesome! One thing about going overboard though...that water temp in the bering sea and near the Grand Banks is slightly above freezing. If you get tossed overboard you really only have about 4- 5 minutes of activity in that water temp. After that you become hypothermic rather quickly and your physical activity basically ceases along with your consciousness and breathing. I knew a couple of swordfishermen, which is about as dangerous and with so many people moving around and doing stuff on deck with little sleep, the odds of someone fucking up increase dramatically. You wouldn't want to do that shit, especially with a family at home.

[Shibby]

Originally posted by THE BOUNCER
No she hasnt. She used to get on at work all the time. With her new job she really has no time.

Stop living in denial and just accept that she dumped you :)

[shortz]

Originally posted by blm
Are you kidding me?!? That is a lot of money anywhere!

Don't be fooled. Welding under water is a VERY hazardess job. They only work for a few days/weeks at a time, then take alot of time off.

[blm]

Originally posted by shortz
Don't be fooled. Welding under water is a VERY hazardess job. They only work for a few days/weeks at a time, then take alot of time off.

You didn't say anything about that, you just said that 50-60hr isn't much money. My buddy's dad has been an underwater welder for nearly 30yrs.

[bonebreaker]

Yeah, I've watched every episode. I think those guys are either very brave or crazy. I think I remember the narrator saying they lose at least 1 man each season, or was that 1 boat. Anyway, very risky business. BTW, I love King crab legs. BB

[hlcn8]

Originally posted by Primal Instinct
That show is awesome! One thing about going overboard though...that water temp in the bering sea and near the Grand Banks is slightly above freezing. If you get tossed overboard you really only have about 4- 5 minutes of activity in that water temp. After that you become hypothermic rather quickly and your physical activity basically ceases along with your consciousness and breathing. I knew a couple of swordfishermen, which is about as dangerous and with so many people moving around and doing stuff on deck with little sleep, the odds of someone fucking up increase dramatically. You wouldn't want to do that shit, especially with a family at home.

i've been told you'd go hypothermic a lot faster than that, within 30 seconds you'll have trouble moving/swimming! if you go overboard the chances of recovery aren't that wonderful, and remember, crabs are bottom feeders.

[TheStromba]

Great show.

I really identified with the 42 year old greenhorn (I'm 41)

I am in reasonably good shape, but I don't think I could keep up the pace.
Time to admit that I really am getting older :)

I watch each episodes 2 or 3 times. I am sure that alot of guys are gonna wanna try it as a result of this show.

[spidey]

Originally posted by hlcn8
i've been told you'd go hypothermic a lot faster than that, within 30 seconds you'll have trouble moving/swimming! if you go overboard the chances of recovery aren't that wonderful, and remember, crabs are bottom feeders.

Yeah, I worked on a fishing boat off the coast of Maine for a while as a kid. I was told If I went overboard I had about 2 minutes before I would be incapacitated and that water is a little warmer than that in the Bering sea. I bet you would be unconcious within 2 minutes.

[imonboardtoo]

I've seen several episodes of that show. It's awesome to watch, but the lifestyle looks tough, and it's not like they're becoming millionaires.

[Primal Instinct]

I have done a lot of rafting trips (mostly class IV and V stuff) and have been tossed overboard in one case, in 33 degree water with a wetsuit on. It just shocks you so hard to become immersed in that temp suddenly. It was also relatively deep water from a twin hydraulic wave and had a lot of force behind it. It dragged me under immediately and since it was so cold, the shock made me exhale completely. I was under for approximately 45 - 50 seconds or so and came back up under the bottom of the raft as it was floating down river in the current. Not cool. I pushed down and eventually got clear to surface. I nearly drowned from the experience but I continue to raft, lol. Anyway, that wasn't heavy seas, just a nasty river. After that experience, you have NO energy to even swim and rely on others to drag your half-dead ass back into the boat.

These crab fishermen (nor the swordfishermen) don't even wear those suits or survival gear on deck. They usually have the stuff stowed nearby in the event that the ship goes down. I think they only get something like a 30 second window to get to their suits if they expect to survive in that event.

[funniirishman]

I have fished in the Bering Sea and I can tell you without question it is the scariest and hardest work I have ever done. I have climbed rigging to smash ice of of lines in 30 foot swells, I have worked in pitch black where the only light you have is the light from the boat with the boat pitching and diving, blackness all around you and you cant see the water..and I've done it for 72 hours straight. It was the most mentally and physically fatiguing thing I have ever done..even the Corps.

And yes the money is good, I worked for two and half months and came away with about 35k and I had the lowest percentage (boats often pay crews a percentage of the haul).

Commercial Fishing is hard work period, and its getting harder. They work harder now for less fish and less profit then ever before..It is incredibly regulated in the US now, primarily because other countries dont regulate at all. When I was working the the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska we would watch these huge Japanese purse netters fish...they would set these nets out for like a mile and then close it and reel it in..anything, and I mean anything outside of what they were fishing for was killed as they were bringing it in and eventually dumped back in the ocean..it used to piss us off so bad. So now everyone pays the price.

But regardless of my digression there :) It is a very tough job