Many people know ABK (ship crew) as workers who assist with vessel operations. However, when it comes to international fishing vessel crew, their responsibilities are much broader. The job is not limited to fishing activities, but also includes equipment preparation, fishing operations, catch handling, maintenance, cleaning, safety procedures, and teamwork.
The duties of each crew member may vary depending on the type of vessel, fishing method, position or rank, company work system, and instructions from the master and officers. Therefore, prospective crew members should understand the nature of onboard work before deciding to pursue a career in the international fishing industry.
General Duties of Fishing Vessel Crew
In general, ABK duties can include several key activities:
Vessel preparation → fishing operation → catch handling → maintenance → cleaning → safety → teamwork.
Each activity plays an important role in ensuring that vessel operations run safely and effectively.
Here are some of the common fishing vessel crew duties that prospective crew members should understand.
1. Deck Crew and Deck Activities
One important part of an ABK’s work involves activities on the vessel deck. The deck is an area frequently used for operational activities, including equipment preparation and fishing operations.
Deck crew duties may include:
- Preparing work equipment on deck.
- Checking equipment according to assigned responsibilities.
- Handling ropes, nets, and other equipment.
- Assisting with fishing operations.
- Keeping the work area organized and safe.
- Assisting with loading, unloading, or moving equipment as assigned.
- Following instructions from officers or the master.
Working on deck requires careful attention because various types of equipment and activities can create risks if procedures are not followed properly.
2. Participating in Fishing Operations
This is one of the main activities on a fishing vessel. However, the specific duties can vary because different vessels use different fishing methods.
On a net fishing vessel, for example, crew members may assist with preparing the nets, operating and hauling the fishing gear, handling the catch, and organizing the equipment after the operation.
On a squid fishing vessel, crew members may assist with preparing fishing equipment, supporting fishing operations, handling the catch, and organizing or storing the catch according to vessel procedures.
Therefore, prospective crew members should understand the type of vessel and fishing method they will be working with before departure.
3. Handling and Storing the Catch
After the fishing operation, the crew’s work does not necessarily end. Crew members may also be involved in catch handling activities.
These duties may include:
- Moving the catch from the operational area.
- Assisting with sorting.
- Keeping catch-handling areas clean.
- Organizing the catch.
- Assisting with storage according to vessel procedures.
- Ensuring that catch-handling activities are carried out properly.
Catch handling is an important part of fishing vessel operations because the catch needs to be handled and stored according to the system implemented onboard.
4. Maintenance and Equipment Care
In addition to operational activities, maintenance is also part of onboard crew activities.
Crew members may help maintain equipment and work areas through activities such as:
- Cleaning equipment after use.
- Conducting visual checks of equipment.
- Maintaining nets, ropes, and deck equipment.
- Assisting with basic maintenance according to their competence.
- Keeping equipment ready for use.
- Reporting damage or abnormal conditions to the responsible personnel.
However, certain technical tasks must be carried out by personnel with the appropriate competence and authority for their position. Crew members should understand the limits of their responsibilities and should not perform tasks beyond their abilities or instructions.
5. Cleaning and Maintaining Vessel Hygiene
Do not assume that an ABK’s work only involves fishing activities. Cleaning and maintaining cleanliness onboard are also part of crew responsibilities.
Work areas, decks, fishing equipment, and catch-handling areas need to be kept clean according to vessel procedures.
Cleanliness helps create a more organized working environment, supports workplace safety, and contributes to proper catch handling.
Therefore, prospective crew members should be prepared to perform both operational and supporting tasks while onboard.
6. Following Safety Procedures
Safety is an essential part of working as a fishing vessel crew member. The maritime working environment is different from working on land, so every crew member needs to understand the safety procedures implemented onboard.
ABK responsibilities related to safety may include:
- Wearing the appropriate PPE for each task.
- Participating in safety briefings.
- Understanding emergency procedures.
- Knowing the location of safety equipment.
- Following instructions from the master and officers.
- Reporting potentially dangerous conditions.
- Avoiding actions that could endanger themselves or other crew members.
Safety is not only the responsibility of the master or officers. Every crew member plays a role in maintaining a safe working environment.
7. Following Work Schedules and Maintaining Discipline
Working as an ABK means becoming part of an organized work system. Crew members must follow work schedules, assigned duties, and the rules established onboard.
Discipline is important because one person’s responsibilities can be directly connected to the work of other crew members. Delays or negligence can affect the team’s overall operations.
Crew members must also be able to follow the chain of command, receive instructions properly, and communicate when they encounter problems during their work.
8. Working with Crew Members from Different Countries
On international fishing vessels, Indonesian crew members may work alongside people from other countries. This requires good adaptability and communication skills.
Differences in language, habits, communication styles, and working practices can all become part of the experience of working onboard an international vessel.
Therefore, in addition to technical skills, crew members should develop:
- Basic communication skills.
- Professional attitude.
- Willingness to learn.
- Teamwork skills.
- Discipline.
- Adaptability to a new working environment.
- Mutual respect.
These qualities can help crew members perform their duties effectively in a multinational working environment.
Do All ABK Have the Same Duties?
No.
Fishing vessel crew duties can vary depending on the position, vessel type, fishing method, experience, company work system, operating area, and instructions from authorized personnel onboard.
For this reason, prospective crew members should not only ask “How much does a fishing vessel crew member earn?” They should also understand the job description, contract duration, vessel type, work system, responsibilities, and placement conditions before departure.
Understanding these points can help prospective crew members prepare more realistically for the work they will perform.
PT RNT Utama Indonesia Supports ABK Preparation and Placement
Becoming an international fishing vessel crew member requires more than simply having the courage to work far from home. Crew members need physical readiness, discipline, teamwork skills, safety awareness, and the ability to adapt to life and work onboard.
PT RNT Utama Indonesia supports the ABK recruitment and placement process through selection, administrative preparation, training and briefing, departure coordination, and placement according to partner requirements.
For prospective crew members, understanding their responsibilities before departure is an important step toward building professional readiness and maintaining good performance onboard.
Ready to Work on an International Fishing Vessel?
Don’t prepare only your departure documents. Learn about fishing vessel crew duties, deck operations, fishing operations, maintenance, cleaning, safety, and teamwork as well.
If you are interested in building a career as an international fishing vessel crew member, register with PT RNT Utama Indonesia and stay updated with the latest ABK recruitment opportunities.
