Our five freighters, ranging from 242-260 feet long, deliver cargo from our terminal in Seattle to towns in Western Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, including Dutch Harbor, Sandpoint, Chignik, King Cove, Cold Bay, and False Pass. Most of our cargo is associated with commercial fishing, and the work is often just as hard.

A typical trip is 24 days long. Each work day on board is at least 12 hours long. During cargo operations (which take up a third of the voyage), the hours can be far longer.

Two-thirds of the trip is underway time, which mainly consists of standing watches, cleaning, and maintenance. The other third of the voyage is spent in cargo operations. Cargo operations are rough physical work in an extreme environment. You must be able to lift heavy weights, up to 100 pounds. The main duties of cargo operation are driving yard-and-stay cargo gear; operating lift trucks; slinging loads; working with lashing chain, chain binders, and dunnage; and sweeping and cleaning cargo holds.