Today marks my 3rd year mark as a fisheries observer. I have been on 11 commercial fishing vessels. I have acquired ~450 days at sea. The work I do is a mixture of work on deck, in the wheel house and in the factory (if the vessel has one). I do not do day trips but rather over night trips that can last from 10 to 45 days at sea. I have missed several important events (weddings, funerals, births) only to see pictures a later date.
The work isn't overly labor intensive but boat life is challenging. This is especially the case for a woman. The majority of the fisheries have a definate line drawn between the genders. I am used to boat culture. In fact, I have spent somuch time on the vessels that land people seem weird. I have had the opportunity to seen some amazing places that only a hand few of people have had the privelidge of viewing but once green water rushes over the bow the journey becomes bit more serious.
