There is something about the ocean that has been calling to people for centuries. The mystery of what is out there in a completely different world. There is the feeling of freedom that comes with hopping on a boat to go off into the ocean, possibly discovering something new. Whatever it is, some people desire to have the sea be so much a part of their lives that they find ways to make a living from maritime ventures
Along the coast lines you may find small boats with a few men on them hauling in lobster crates. In a single year the US produced 75 million lbs. of lobsters for retail sales. And though many people think of running a lobster boat as something for people who live in the northern territories, you can find lobster in warmer regions too. The differences being clawed lobsters tend to be northern creatures, and spiny lobster that are found in warmer waters.
Bubba Gump did it and so can you. Running a shrimp boat is a great option for people who like to be out on the waters. There are roughly 3 million tons of shrimp brought in every year. And the typical salary for a shrimp boat captain is around $70,000 but can get as high as $117,000.
If catching crustaceans isn’t quite your thing then dredging might be. Dredging is where a crane sitting on a ship above the surface water uses a bucket excavator to gather sand and sentiment from below, and transports it to other areas. Reasons for dredging include:
· Rebuilding coast lines that have been eroded due to weather or other events
· Building water ways to make them passable for ships and boats
· In some cases it is used for catching clams and crabs
Boat towing can make a comfortable living as well. This is a fairly uncomplicated business because it simply involves towing boats that have had trouble in the water or been abandoned. It can be something you start with a little money towing smaller boats and build up to towing bigger boats as you can afford to grow your business. You will have to have the right permits and carry liability insurance, but you can make as little as $50 for small boats close to shore or even charge as much as $1,300 for 24 foot boat within 15 miles of shore. It just depends on how you want to set you rates.
If you would rather stay dockside there are plenty of business opportunities there as well. With shipping freight and fishing still being big business there is a need for smart, professional dock workers, processors, and businesses. And with a dock management system playing such a crucial role, cutting edge technological services like TerminalSmart can make your job more efficient and productive.
Working in the maritime industry really offers a lot of choices. You’re not limited to the brutal jobs depicted in The Deadliest Catch and other reality shows. Everything from rugged, physically laborious jobs to smart business solutions is needed. If you like the ocean it can well be worth your while to check out some of these industries to see if there is one for you.
Article contributed by Jenna Smith