Alaska Floating Processor Employment – Working Conditions

Working conditions on floating processors are very similar to those on factory trawlers. In fact, as a general rule you can expect work onboard any processing or harvesting boat in Alaska to be challenging in terms of the nature of the work and in terms of the weather you will likely encounter. Onboard a floating processor you can expect to work long hours, usually doing repetitive tasks. The living spaces are going to be tight and amenities will be few. Additionally, you will likely share your living space with other crew members. You will probably be sleeping in a bunk with multiple bunks in a room, and you will have very little time and space to yourself. As you might have heard, the words “Alaska” and “inclement weather” go together, so working at sea is hardly a picnic. You’re going to get wet and the seas may be rough at times.

In terms of the work, you may or may not find it too difficult, but it’s repetitious and tedious for sure. Think about performing the same task day in and day out.

A worker on a floating processor had this to say about the working conditions:

“Before I went, I just said to myself, ‘This is going to be like boot camp, like a living hell.’ But the experience turned out to be not even close to that. I think if you go with that attitude you’ll definitely be pleasantly surprised. Plus, you meet a ton of interesting people from all over the world and you’re all dirty and laughing and working together. It’s actually a lot of fun and a great group experience. I think everybody should do it. It’s not hard work, but it’s REAL work and the hours are really, really long.”

Consider what this worker had to say about working on a floating factory processor. If you are prepared to work hard and the long hours don’t bother you, then pack your bags and go for it. It’s all about your frame of mind.