APPRENTICESHIP

Commercial Fishing Apprenticeship Program (CFAP) is a crew training program designed and offered by the East Farm Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island and in cooperation with the University of Rhode Island, commercial fishermen, and the supporting shoreside businesses of Point Judith.

The training provides essential knowledge and skills to hard-working, self-motivated, and dependable men and women. Upon completion of the month-long training, participants will have the potential to become the next generation of conservation-minded fishermen and secure full-time employment aboard local commercial fishing vessels.

The program consists of hands-on, classroom-based training sessions, and at-sea training. Hands-on components will include safety training, seamanship, navigation, basic vessel maintenance, gear design and repair. Classroom sessions will include Fishing as a Business, Rhode Island Fisheries Management and Regulations, Cooperative Research, Data Collection, Species Identification, and the Ethics of Responsible Fishing Practices. As part of the program, apprentices get 3 days at sea and get to experience different types of fishing and gear types. Training locations are both Point Judith and Kingston, Rhode Island.

CFAP is fully funded by Real Jobs Rhode Island.

The application for the June 2023 Commercial Fishing Apprenticeship Program is now open. Application period is open until May 1st, 2023. Access the application below. 

2023 Commercial Fishing Apprenticeship Program Application

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CFCRI Apprenticeship Video by Working Nation

Who Is Eligible? 

• Must be ages 18+
• Must have drivers license and reliable form of transportation
• Must pass background check and drug test
• Must be willing to commit to the full month-long program 
• Most importantly, must be interested in making a career in commercial fishing

What is Involved and Provided? 

• Commitment of month-long training program (Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm)
• Daily one hour lunch break with $15 stipend
• 3 days at sea aboard vessel. Get to select 2 types of fishing experiences (Trawling, lobstering, gillnetting, dredging)
• All gear is provided (boots, foul-weather gear, gloves)
• All course material and books are provided
• Upon full completion of month-long course, you will receive a $1,000 stipend ​and assistance securing employment on a local vessel

Screening/Self-Assessment: Commercial fishing is a unique and rewarding career. However, it certainly is not for everybody. Fishing may be a good fit for you if… 

• You are not prone to seasickness or other motion sickness. 
• You have been on the water with seas greater than 3 feet.  
• You have prior experience working physical labor jobs. 
• You have experience being on boats greater than 20ft. 
• You are comfortable working in unfavorable weather conditions. 
• You enjoy being part of a team. 
• You can lift at least 50lbs. 
• You are dependable and have a reliable vehicle.
• You have a driver's license.  
• You do not have any physical ailments/injuries. 
• You are comfortable with a schedule that frequently changes.  
• You are okay with working odd hours of the day and long hours. 
• You are okay with being away from home/land for extended periods of time. 
• You do not mind getting dirty and smelling of fish & rancid smells.
• You are financially responsible and able to make sure your taxes get filed. 
• You are comfortable getting your own health insurance coverage. 

​Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the schedule like for the program?

The training takes place during the entire month of June. Training takes place Monday through Friday from about 8:30am – 4:30pm. Participants get a daily one-hour lunch break.
 

1. What topics will be covered in the training? 

Topics that are covered in the program include safety at sea, CPR and first aid, seamanship and navigation, net mending, knot tying, species identification, welding and cutting, diesel engine mechanics, and gear types and design. Apprentices also gain introductory knowledge about fisheries science, fisheries management and regulations, licensing pathways, and fishing as a business. These lessons will be a combination of both classroom-based learning and hands-on learning.    
 

1. What happens after the training?

After full completion of the program, we do our best to match participants with a local vessel based on their preferred type of fishing, personality, and schedule. We will help participants to find a good fit onboard a local fishing vessel.
 

1. Where does the training take place? 

The training primarily takes place in Point Judith, Rhode Island. Some days are also spent at the CFCRI office in Kingston.
 

1. How much does this training cost?

This apprenticeship program is free to participants and is fully funded through Real Jobs RI. Through the program, all participants are provided with boots, gloves, foul weather gear, knives, and all training materials. Participants also receive a daily lunch stipend as well as a final program stipend of $1,000.
 

1. Is housing provided during the training? 

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide housing through the training. Be aware that housing can be difficult to find in the area during the spring/summer season. If you are out of state and interested in applying, please get in touch with us.
 

1. How do I apply?

The application can be found here: https://www.cfcri.org/apprenticeship.html. If you are unable to access the online application, you can contact us and we will be happy to mail you a paper application or have you come in to apply in person. 
 

1. Does the training include time at sea on a fishing vessel?

Yes, during the training participants will experience 3 at-sea training days. The first trip is onboard a trawler, where apprentices will get to observe and assist the crew setting and hauling the net, as well as picking fish.
 

1. How much does a fishermen make in a year on average? 

A fisherman’s income is dependent upon a number of factors including what type of fishing you are doing, the individual boat you are on, how much fish you catch, how often you fish, and how hard you work. Crew members are compensated based on a share or percentage of the proceeds of the harvest sale value after fuel, groceries, and gear expenses. New crew members are typically paid a ½ share, while seasoned crew members typically earn a full share. As new crew members gain more skills and experience, they work their way up to a full share. Some individuals have worked their way up to a full share in as little as a month, while for others this can take years. Showing up on time, having a good attitude, and working hard can all help you work towards getting a full share. 
 

1. Will I get a degree or certificate?

Through the apprenticeship training, participants receive a CPR, First Aid, & AED certification, a US Coast Guard Drill Conductor certification, and a certificate of completion from CFCRI for those that complete the training.

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Commercial Fishing Pathways 

Different Types of Fishing Pathways 

Rhode Island is home to various types of fishing. We Realize that not all fisheries are a good fit for everyone. Because of this, apprentices learn about and are exposed to different fishing career paths, such as rod and reel-head boat and private charter boats, scalloping, gillnetting, lobster and fish pots, and trawling. Apprentices will learn about the different pathways and be able to choose different fishing types to try out. Trainings will be tailored towards different fisheries, and students will be able to choose the path they feel best meets their interests. 

Rod & Reel / Private Charter 

Operating Spring, Summer, and Fall with some boats operating during the Winter, Rhode Island is home to over 200 charter boats. These boats are chartered for numerous occasions, including off-shore tuna trips, inshore fishing trips around Block Island, and to Coxes Ledge, burials at sea, shark cage diving, and even lighthouse and wind farm tours. Deckhands can expect to be at the boat before sunrise and go out fishing anywhere from 4 hours to 2 days depending on the vessel and trip type. Deckhands on these vessels are paid per trip by the captain and also tipped by those chartering on the vessel. In this industry, having an outgoing personality is key!

Scalloping

Rhode Island is home to a small inshore scallop fleet that operates year round. These vessels are generally 30-60 feet in length and trips last anywhere from 10 hours to 2 days. Scalloping consists of towing a large dredge (pictured above) behind the boat for an hour. During this time a deckhand will spend time picking the deck, shucking scallops, filleting monkfish, and preparing for the dredge to be hauled back. Deckhands in this industry must be well fit, able to stand for hours, and be strong enough to work with the dredge.

Gillnetting 

Another small Rhode Island fleet is the Gillnet fleet. These vessels range in size from 25 to 50 feet in length. The trip length on these vessels is anywhere from 8 hours to 4 days. Gillnetting vessels here in Rhode Island target numerous species including skate, dogfish, monkfish, and fluke. Vessel crew size is usually 2- 4 people. Deckhand responsibilities may include cleaning, net repair, handling fish, and basic vessel maintenance.

Lobster / Fish Pots

In Rhode Island we have both an inshore and offshore fleet of lobster boats. The inshore fleet consists of smaller boats ranging from 20 to 50 feet. These boats generally leave the docks early morning between the hours of 3 and 6 and return between the early afternoon and sunset. Many of these boats do not just engage in lobstering, but use other forms of traps to capture fish, crabs, and whelk. The deckhands will be working with bait and stacking heavy traps on deck. Offshore lobstering is a bit different; boats are much larger and trips range from 4 days to a week. These boats do not participate in other fisheries and have a crew of 3 to 6 people. Deckhand responsibilities range from stringing bait, to cooking, cleaning, handling lobsters and fish, and basic vessel maintenance.

Trawling

The largest commercial fishing fleet in Rhode Island is the trawlers. These vessels range in size from 30 to 100 feet and trawl for numerous species depending on the season. As with other fisheries, duration of the trip varies with vessel size. Trips can range from 8 hours to 10 days. On a trawler, crew sizes can also range from a 2 to 6 people. Different species caught can include squid, scup, butterfish, and whiting. Deckhand responsibilities include cooking, cleaning, sorting fish, helping stock the boat, and other basic maintenance needs.

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Apprenticeship 2019 

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Apprenticeship 2018 

Long Version (12 Minutes)

Short Version (4 Minutes)