Fishing vessel skipper
Lead the crew of a boat that catches fish at sea. Plan the fishing trips, navigate to fishing grounds, work on deck and sell the catch to agents when back on shore.
About the job
What it's like
You would move onto this role after working as a deckhand. You would be in charge of a boat that catches fish at sea. You’d plan voyages, navigate to fishing grounds, work on deck and sell the catch to agents when back on shore.
There are different types of boats you could work on:
Inshore vessels, which do not go far from the coast
Limited area vessels, which work within a set area around the coast of the United Kingdom
Unlimited area vessels, working in distant fishing grounds in international waters
As a skipper, you’d use your knowledge of the sea and weather patterns to plan fishing voyages. You’d also navigate the vessel.
And understanding of electronics and basic engineering will help you safely operate and maintain the equipment. Most modern vessels use electronic systems for navigation, to locate fish and monitor the onboard storage conditions.
It’s a responsible job. The crew will rely on you to keep them and the boat safe. You will be expected to remain calm under pressure and make quick decisions in emergency situations. First aid skills will be valuable.
You’d also need to make sure that the fishing trips are profitable. You’d work closely with onshore agents to land and sell the catch.
Each fishing trip will need to follow maritime laws and international fishing regulations.
You could work on fishing vessels ranging from small, single-handed boats to large factory trawlers.
Hours
Your working hours would vary according to which fishing areas you work in, but would usually be long and include shifts and sharing the 'watches'.
Environment
You would also spend some time onshore, repairing nets and maintaining the vessel. Your time would be split between working on the bridge and on deck. You would work in all weathers and sometimes in hazardous conditions, such as freezing weather, storms and gales. Conditions onboard would depend on the type and age of your vessel.
Travel
In inshore waters, you would usually return from sea each day. If you work farther afield, around the UK coast or more distant grounds, you could be away for anything from several days to weeks or months at a time.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- aquaculture
- farm management
- safety management systems
- machinery
- continuous improvement process
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- taking responsibility
- making decisions
- taking initiative
- developing a plan
- working with technology
- cooperating
- building relationships
- resilience
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Biology
Environmental Science
Skills for Work: Rural Skills
There are no set qualifications for this role. However, you'll need at least 18 months experience as a deckhand before applying to be a skipper.
All skippers need to hold a Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Certificate of Competency.
Relevant work-based qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualifications in Maritime Occupations (SVQ level 2) and the Diploma in Maritime Studies (SCQF level 5) may be helpful.
Skills for Work Maritime Skills (SCQF level 5) may be a helpful introduction to the industry.
You will also need to complete a mandatory Safety Awareness and Risk Assessment Course.
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