The Most Dangerous Job In The World Is Held Right Here In Alaska
If you were thinking that the title sounded a little fishy, you were right. The Alaska fishing industry has been called the most dangerous job in all of the world, time and time again. Once you see what these guys (and gals) go through on a daily basis, the reason why it has been dubbed as being so brutally dangerous is really not that surprising at all. These brave and courageous workers are a vital part of Alaska’s economy yet they risk their lives to help source the most wild, natural, sustainable seafood in the world.
The commercial fishing industry is certainly not for the faint of hearts. In addition to being the deadliest job in the world, it is also one of the dirtiest. Cramped spaces and large crews sharing less-than-desirable sized accommodations means that in this industry, you often times will go days without a shower.
You are also battling your equilibrium with the rough and rowdy seas that surround Alaska. Add that in with harsh weather patterns, blasting precipitation, choppy waves, huge swells and high winds and, well – you better hold on tight. Things can get dangerous very quickly. Alaska is very unforgiving so you better be prepared at all times for anything to happen.
On top of that, commercial fishing vessels have to be very aware of their surroundings. With short fishing seasons and a rush to claim their catch and “bring home the bacon” there will be hundreds of boats fishing the hot spots on any given day. This high saturation has the ability to make boat traffic feel like downtown New York. And Alaskans, well – we don’t like traffic. We come to Alaska to avoid the rat race. So this added element alone can severely heighten tempers and overall on-board anxiety.
If you get sea sick, it’s basically just a given that you wouldn’t last a day in this industry. In a state where over a hundred earthquakes can happen each day, the constant disruption of the ocean floor can make for a very unsettling environment for those at sea. Commercial fisherman have developed and uncanny ability to expect waves to come overboard and blast them off their feet out of virtually nowhere. Rogue waves are a very real and very apparent hazard in the Alaska fishing industry.
Life onboard a commercial fishing vessel is generally filled with a variety of personality types from all over the country. Different ways of life mixed with a good dose of cabin fever and a touch of claustrophobia can result in an environment where fighting is not uncommon. But when everyone gets on the same page and keeps the primary goal in mind (making as much money as possible), things usually smooth over sooner than later.
The most common causes of death to commercial fisherman include hypothermia, drowning, capsizing and falling overboard. If one falls overboard (generally due to slippery decks, being entangled in fishing equipment, high winds or rogue waves) they are immediately at high risk of dying due to the freezing cold waters surrounding Alaska. Hypothermia can set in within minutes and the chance of survival becomes very low.
For the crab fishing industry specifically, huge steel pots up to nearly 1000 pounds can be a safety hazard in itself. If this equipment falls on you or at you, you could break multiple bones or be killed instantly just from the impact alone.
Likely a result of the very popular Deadliest Catch television show, there are now tours offered on the Bering Sea that allow visitors to get an up close and personal look at a day in the life of a fishing crew in Alaska. Because even though we might try to deny it, our basic human instincts cause us to be strangely attracted to and intrigued by death, danger and all the gore that is associated with the process.
Although commercial fishing in Alaska is undeniably dangerous, it is so incredibly important to Alaska’s economy. Almost 95% of the salmon supply in the entire United Sates comes from Alaska’s wild, natural, sustainable seafood sources. The fishing industry itself comprises close to half of the entire state’s private employment sector. The end result… so much YUM. And so worth it.
From rogue waves, huge swells, heavy equipment and slippery conditions – it is easy to understand why the fishing industry in Alaska is the most dangerous, deadly occupation in the entire world. Not to mention one of the dirtiest jobs in the world. Would you ever risk your life to bring home a good (like – really, really good) paycheck?
