Advice Needed on Deckhand Job (living, military, garden)

[obviouslyoksana]

I am 25, female, and have been an international aid worker for the last five years. I have lived in over 10 countries including Burma, Nepal, Tibet, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Sudan, Columbia, and the Congo. I have worked alongside a former Marxist guerrilla, arranged financing for landmine clearance, helped organize relief convoys to conflict zones, talked with some of the poorest people in the world, worked alongside the AUC and the paramilitary, and watched international diplomats dancing to folk music in a garden surrounded by minefields. Those were the good and easy times.... which were far and few.

Recently I was in Darfur where I have been working to help the lives of Darfur's two million displaced people and the somewhat bewildered humanitarian agencies who are trying to help them. My daily tasks varied, however dodging bullets, beating, and other array of arsenal used against us was always a given. Most of my time was spent helping those who have been displaced; finding shelter, food, and safety was of the most concern, all while fighting the government whom insisted they were simply trying to help us.

20+ hour days were a given, as were sandstorms, and a no-frills living. Fifteen people smashed into one small tent was not uncommon. Wondering, nightly, if tomorrow I will be kidnapped and beheaded was also a given. And wondering if my next meal will arrive because the World Food Program ran out of fuel was always a staple in my day-to-day life.

According to the UN international aid work is one of the deadliest jobs in the world. And thus far, I have to agree as I have already been kidnapped, detained, harassed, and threatened with violence (a gun to the face is a threat, a bullet in the hand, or other extremity, is violence... at least for me).

Now I am in Alaska. Have been relaxing, but now I am bored. I miss the fast life. Recently I was offered a job as a deckhand on a commercial longline cod boat out in Dutch Harbor.

My question is, is it worth it? My parents are freaked out as they have seen that show on Dicovery Channel, the Deadliest Catch. Granted, they were also freaked out when I became an aid worker. I have only seen videos online as I have not had a television for almost 8 years now. Is Cod fishing just as bad as the crab fishing?

What is the money like, normally? Mind you, I am not in it for the money... just need to make about $1000 come October so I can head back overseas to where ever I decided to help out next. Also, I am normally used to only making around $15k a year... so money isn't exactly my main motive.

I have about 2 weeks before I have to sign a contract with the captain, but he was quick to pick me up once he found out where and what I had been doing.

Any advice is welcome. The good and the bad. I'd rather be realistic then romantic.

[Metlakatla]

Take a look here:

On the Road to Alaska: The complete Guide to Travel and Work in Alaska

It sounds like you can handle the work. Consider asking the captain for references though--try to find out as much as you can before you sign the contract.