---
title: 'Deckhand - F/T North Star at Glacier Fish'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/deckhand-f-t-north-star-glacier-fish-washington-snfmek5b32j0'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Deckhand - F/T North Star at Glacier Fish

- **Company:** Glacier Fish
- **Location:** Washington, DC
- **Employment:** contract
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2024-01-15
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/glacierfish/9c0faf5a-9bc5-4619-ad4e-cec073b1ad80

## Job description

North Star Fishing Company is dedicated to producing the highest quality frozen-at-sea groundfish products in the world. We accomplish our mission with a day-in-and-day-out commitment to quality, safety, consistent attention to detail and an on-going concern for the stability and health of the North Pacific fishery resource.

We are one of the largest producers of frozen at sea flatfish, cod, pollock and other groundfish, and distributes seafood throughout the world. We manage three trawl catcher-processor vessels that operate in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and the Gulf of Alaska. Come join us with one of the many exciting job opportunities available!

North Star Fishing Company LLC. Is hiring Deckhands that are mentally and physically resilient to perform long labor-intensive hours under tough conditions on board the F/T North Star in Alaska’s Bering Sea. We are seeking individuals for permanent, full-time positions who are open to working a rotating schedule year-round. To qualify for this position, applicants are expected to have prior experience as a deckhand on a commercial fishing vessel. Those who do not have prior experience will not be considered.

## Requirements

- Highly skilled in deck operations, including splicing, net repair, and proficiently setting and hauling gear.
- Strong English comprehension to read and interpret policies and procedures.
- Adaptable in managing and troubleshooting competing priorities to respond effectively to last-minute, time-sensitive projects to consistently meet operational deadlines.
- Regularly scheduled for 16 hour shifts.
- May be required to work additional hours due to occasional urgent vessel needs.
- Shipyard duties to be fulfilled as required or assigned.

Job Duties and responsibilities

- Safely operate cranes, winches or other lifting equipment according to manufacturer specifications to bring aboard and move equipment on deck as necessary.
- Attaches slings, hooks, and other lifting devices to cables, trawl equipment and nets as required to safely haul, empty, repair and set fishing gear at sea in all weather conditions.
- Signals workers to move, hoist, or position nets and equipment safely as required to haul and set fishing gear and equipment.
- Comprehends compliance with prohibited species handling regulations, including deck sorting procedures according to EFP.
- Understands Safe Working Load for each crane onboard vessel.
- Complies with all company and vessel safety regulations and procedures.
- Assists Deck-boss with training crew in safe and efficient deck operation procedures.
- Safely operates skiff to transport crew, supplies or equipment at sea or in port.
- Attends to repairs and adjustments to fishing gear and other trawler deck equipment as needed.
- Secures and removes vessels docking lines to and from docks and other vessels.
- Prepares vessel for shipyard arrival and departure, include spill equipment, oil booms and gangway secure.
- Participates as member of fire and safety team in emergency situation.
- Works in processing factory when not engaged in deck operations (where applicable).

Life on board

- Limited privacy
- 2 - 6 bunks per room
- All meals and laundry on board are provided at no cost
- Expect Limited communication. Cell phones don’t work.
- Satellite Wi-Fi provided, newly integrated Starlink is a high-speed, low-latency broadband internet able to adapt to remote and rural locations.

## Benefits

- Company travel policy agreement: Successful completion of 5 consecutive fishing trips grants eligibility for airfare/hotel expenses, between the vessel and Seattle, to be paid by the company. Each fishing trip averages 12–18 days, and can be more or less dependent on fishing conditions.
- 401(k) and 401(k) matching
- Health, Dental, and Vision insurance once eligibility met
- Employee assistance program

North Star Fishing Company are Equal Opportunity Employers - Minority / Women / Disability / Veteran / Gender Identity / Sexual Orientation / Age.

By signing below you are affirming that the statements that you make in this application, plus any additional written and oral information you provide us about yourself (such as an interview) are true, and that you have not omitted anything about yourself that might be important to us in deciding whether to hire you. You understand that any false statement or material omission is sufficient grounds for us to reject this application, or to terminate your employment without further consideration.

I AUTHORIZE INVESTIGATION OF ALL STATEMENTS CONTAINED HEREIN AND THE REFERENCES LISTED ABOVE TO GIVE YOU ANY AND ALL INFORMATION CONCERNING MY PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT AND ANY PERTINENT INFORMATION THEY MAY HAVE, PERSONAL OR OTHERWISE, AND RELEASE ALL PARTIES FROM ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE THAT MIGHT RESULT FROM FURNISHING SAME TO YOU.

In addition, you understand that any offer of employment will be contingent upon our verifying your employment eligibility as required by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT, IF HIRED, MY EMPLOYMENT IS FOR NO DEFINITE PERIOD AND MAY, REGARDLESS OF THE DATE OF PAYMENT OF MY WAGES AND SALARY, BE TERMINATED AT ANY TIME WITHOUT ANY PRIOR NOTICE.

## About Glacier Fish

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Glacier Fish Company is a privately held, family-founded seafood company specializing in the harvest and processing of frozen-at-sea groundfish, operating a fleet of catcher-processor vessels in the Bering Sea and off the U.S. Pacific coast.
- **Entity Type**: Private (founded 1982; not publicly traded)
- **Headquarters**: Seattle, Washington, USA
- **Founded**: 1982
- **Founders**: Erik Breivik (along with several other fishing families)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Fisheries – commercial fishing and onboard processing of groundfish (Alaska Pollock, Pacific Cod, Pacific Whiting/Hake).
- **Target customers**: B2B – global seafood distributors, quick-service restaurant chains, frozen food manufacturers, and retail packaged goods companies.
- **Mission**: “Dedicated to producing the highest quality frozen-at-sea groundfish products in the world” – with a commitment to sustainability and the health of the North Pacific fishery resource.

## Products & Services
- **Frozen-at-Sea Fillets & Blocks**: High-quality fillet blocks, shatter pack fillets, IQF fillets, and mince used in fish sticks, sandwiches, and other value-added products.
- **Surimi**: Processed fish protein used in imitation crab and other seafood analogs.
- **Head & Gut (H&G) Products**: Whole fish headed and gutted for further processing onshore.
- **Fishmeal & Fish Oil**: Produced from processing waste, supplying animal feed and omega-3 oil markets.
- **Vessel Management**: Full management of four additional vessels under North Star Fishing Company (Arica, Cape Horn, Rebecca Irene, Unimak).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed.
- **Key Metric**: Private company; annual revenue not disclosed. Total funding rounds not applicable. Employee count (HQ) approx. 29 (LinkedIn, +10% YoY).
- **Notable Investors / Partners**:
  - Nippon Suisan USA, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nippon Suisan Kaisha, one of the world’s largest marine products companies) – minority partner.
  - Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation (NSEDC) – 50% partner since 1998, representing 15 Alaska Native communities.
- **Growth Signals**: Acquired competitor Alaska Ocean Seafood in 2008, doubling quota holdings and adding the flagship vessel Alaska Ocean. Upgraded fishmeal production plant to process 40 metric tons fishmeal + 8,000 gallons fish oil per day. Long-standing, uninterrupted harvesting relationship with NSEDC. Many crew members have 20+ years tenure.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Vertical Integration**: Full control from catch to frozen-at-sea processing, ensuring product quality and supply chain reliability.
- **Quota Ownership**: Holds substantial fishing quota shares in the rationalized Alaska Pollock fishery, providing a stable, long-term resource base.
- **Large, Modern Fleet**: The Alaska Ocean is one of the world’s largest catcher-processors, capable of freezing over 220 metric tons per day. Both vessels are equipped with Starlink internet for crew connectivity.
- **Strategic Partnerships**: Deep relationships with NSEDC (community development) and Nippon Suisan (global distribution and capital) create a strong competitive moat.
- **Sustainability & Legacy**: 30+ years of sustainable fishing practices, with the Alaska Ocean featured in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and on the History Channel’s Modern Marvels.

## Strategic Focus
- Continue to operate and optimize the current fleet of catcher-processors, maintaining high-quality frozen-at-sea production.
- Strengthen partnerships with NSEDC and Nippon Suisan while exploring further long-term cooperative agreements.
- Sustain and improve environmental stewardship, including full utilization of fish waste for fishmeal and fish oil.
- Develop next-generation leadership (CEO Michael Breivik, son of founder) to carry forward the company’s core operating principles.

## Why Work Here
- **Work Environment**: Onboard a factory trawler in the Bering Sea – physically demanding, wet, cold, with 16-hour shifts, 7 days a week for 2–4 months at a time. Crew-share pay (percentage of the vessel’s catch) provides strong earning potential linked to performance.
- **Benefits**: Health, vision, and dental insurance for crew and family; 401(k) with company match; employee assistance program; company-provided training; room and meals onboard; Starlink Wi-Fi/email access.
- **Career Progression**: Opportunity to start in entry-level roles (deck, factory, galley) and advance to higher-paying positions (engineer, officer, cook). Many crew members stay for 20+ years.
- **Culture**: Emphasis on teamwork, safety, and self-discipline. Zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy. Equal opportunity employer. The company values its diverse and talented crew as its greatest asset.
- **Remote/Hybrid Policy**: Not applicable – all crew positions are at sea. HQ roles in Seattle are likely office-based.
- **Vessel Departments**: Wheelhouse (Captain, Mates, Purser), Engineering (Chief, Assistant, Oilers), Deck (Deckhands), Galley (Steward, Cook, Housekeeper), Factory (Processing staff).

## Sources
1. [glacierfish.com/about](http://www.glacierfish.com/about/)
2. [glacierfish.com/employment](http://www.glacierfish.com/employment/)
3. [linkedin.com/company/glacierfishcompany](https://www.linkedin.com/company/glacierfishcompany)
4. [jobs.lever.co/glacierfish](https://jobs.lever.co/glacierfish)
5. [glacierfishcareers.multiscreensite.com](https://glacierfishcareers.multiscreensite.com/)

## Other roles at Glacier Fish

- [Licensed Mate - Fishing Vessel UNIMAK](https://feeny.ai/job/licensed-mate-fishing-vessel-unimak-glacier-fish-seattle-5ydjc861m21w) — Seattle, WA
- [Captain - F/T Northern Glacier](https://feeny.ai/job/captain-f-t-northern-glacier-glacier-fish-washington-nnnz3hvv26w8) — Washington, DC
- [Licensed Mate - F/T Northern Glacier](https://feeny.ai/job/licensed-mate-f-t-northern-glacier-glacier-fish-washington-5ghsrtpwndjm) — Washington, DC
- [Second Assist Engineer on Commercial Fishing Vessel - F/T Alaska Ocean](https://feeny.ai/job/second-assist-engineer-on-commercial-fishing-vessel-f-t-alaska-ocean-glacier-9e51zzexqh19) — Washington, DC
- [At Sea Processor - F/T North Star - Alaska](https://feeny.ai/job/at-sea-processor-f-t-north-star-alaska-glacier-fish-alaska-0g66628975bz) — Alaska
- [At-Sea Processor on the F/T UNIMAK - IN ALASKA](https://feeny.ai/job/at-sea-processor-on-the-f-t-unimak-in-alaska-glacier-fish-alaska-hrdgz21zddj7) — Alaska
- [Processor for At-Sea work on F/T Alaska Ocean](https://feeny.ai/job/processor-for-at-sea-work-on-f-t-alaska-ocean-glacier-fish-alaska-7h5nx1syh8rc) — Alaska
- [At-Sea Processor - F/T Alaska Ocean](https://feeny.ai/job/at-sea-processor-f-t-alaska-ocean-glacier-fish-washington-akm4wrxyrdzf) — Washington, DC
- [At-Sea Fish Processor - F/T Northern Glacier](https://feeny.ai/job/at-sea-fish-processor-f-t-northern-glacier-glacier-fish-united-states-cndrh0wjj255) — United States
- [Fishmeal Trainee - F/T North Star](https://feeny.ai/job/fishmeal-trainee-f-t-north-star-glacier-fish-washington-0rs8a65nz59e) — Washington, DC