Emily J

MEET THE SKIPPER

Jason Hicks, Skipper Emily J
Jason began his fishing career in the Whelk-fishing industry in 1998, and soon earned his Fishing Certificate of Competency. He began working with us in 2002, as a Mate, but he quickly learned the scallop-fishing operation and was soon offered a position as Skipper. He accepted the position of skipper on the Emily J in 2012. Jason has participated in company-sponsored training programs in occupational health and safety, leadership and management. He enjoys building remote-control boats, planes and cars, as well as offshore sport fishing.

‘I started young as a simple apprentice because I was bored with school and I wanted to earn a living. Then I was a Deckhand for three years, before taking a Skipper course. Now I am Skipper and it is a responsibility at all levels: I have to manage the everyday life of my crewmen (technology, safety, supplies) and also pilot the boat. I’m not just a Skipper, I’m also a manager. I have to watch the various laws, make sure I make a profit, and most importantly maintain a good team spirit and find able, good crew to sail with me, because without them I am nothing. So it is me who judges whether new crew are suited for the job. It is important that they have the desire and motivation to do the job - it requires character and sacrifice. The level of training for crewman has improved a lot since I started out. Nowadays, the sea is also a place of work for me, with its responsibilities and its satisfactions; it is how I feed my young family and I have to look after it so it continues to look after me. I am proud that my crew are loyal and have been almost the same for nearly five years now.’