They may also operate and navigate boats, cook meals, and interpret maps. They may use electronic equipment, mend nets, and repair diesel and hydraulic equipment. They maintain refrigeration equipment and pumps. Fishers are known as purse seiners, gillnetters, longliners, trawlers, trollers, crabbers, or shrimpers, depending on the type of animal caught. Gathering fish hundreds of miles from shore with commercial fishing vessels requires a crew that includes a captain or skipper, a first mate, and sometimes a second mate, boatswain, and deckhands.
Captains plan and oversee the fishing operation.
The captain is assisted by the first mate. The boatswain is an experienced deckhand with supervisory duties. The boatswain directs the deckhands. The deckhands carry out the sailing and fishing operations. Navigation and communication needs are not as important.