Skipper and Mate

All of the responsibility for fishing fell on the trawler skipper. Not only was he responsible in law for the ship and crew but he had to find a catch of fish and bring it back to Fleetwood. The skipper would choose where to fish.

However, once at the fishing ground, the responsibility for the fishing operation and the delivery of the fish to market in the best possible condition fell to the Mate. He would often charge around the deck giving orders to make sure that the shooting and hauling was carried out quickly and correctly. At the end of the trip the Mate would supervise the discharging, sorting and weighing of the fish in time for the auction.