Brannon Finney

As a professional fisherman based in Petersburg, Alaska, Brannon Finney is in charge of a fleet of boats. Finney has been fishing on the Kenai Peninsula's eastern seas for more than 20 years, catching some of the best seafood in the world. While working in the Prince William Sound, she gets to visit a variety of picturesque towns, including Valdez, Cordova, Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, Whittier, Tatitlek, and Chenega as part of her exciting job.

 

When she's not out on the sea harvesting or in port maintenance and prepping her vessel, Alaskan Girl, for its next voyage, she likes to take advantage of the magnificent natural beauty of the area. Whether she's surfing on a glacier, rock climbing, kayaking, or simply strolling through one of the region's many amazing natural preservation areas, you can find her taking selfies wherever the adventure takes her.

 

This morning in Prince William Sound, Brannon Finney and her all-female crew begin the myriad activities required to safely and profitably operate a commercial fishing boat in Alaska. When all of the crew members are women, it's even more unusual to have a female boat commander in the whole fleet.

 

That women are as competent as men is no longer a mystery, according to Brannon Finney. On the other hand, working and living on a commercial fishing boat is no easy task! The vast majority of ladies I've spoken to have no interest in what I do or how I live. However, there is no other option for someone like myself. For the last two decades, I've been catching fish in this area. All I know is this.

 

In his early years, Brannon Finney started working as a crew member on fishing boats. The first time she gained her sea legs, she says, was when she was around four years old. Walking on the beach for the first time after spending days in the ocean is still a thrill. It's fairly uncommon for your legs to perform odd things, such as taking steps you didn't plan to. It's all about reestablishing mental balance and regaining a sense of grounding.

 

The Prince William Sound's weather may change in a matter of minutes. Wind speeds may rise from zero to fifty miles per hour in only ten minutes. On those seas, you must pay attention to what's right in front of you. In Alaska, commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Always be alert and ensure that your safety gear is in tip-top shape. The tragedy is all too often in this area.

The safety of her crew and the viability of her company are directly related to the quality of her vessel upkeep. Commercial fishing vessels contain many systems and components that must be maintained continuously and methodically, according to Brannon Finney.

 

Brannon Finney goes on to say this, saying, Consider, for example, the hull. Checking for cracks and leaks, stressed regions, rust in the through-holes, and stringer anomalies should be done on a regular basis. Aside from the 93-ton gross weight, you'll need to remove the 93-ton vessel from the ocean and remove all of the barnacles and rust, prime all exposed sections, wash it with a pH-balanced soap, and complete the process with a government-compliant wax and paint.

 

According to Brannon Finney's explanation, you must also maintain the boat's electrical, fuel, and mechanical systems, as well as its heating and waterproofing systems. To be an Alaskan commercial fisherman is not just a profession; it is a whole way of life, and it demands all of your time during the peak season.

Brannon Finney is running Alaskan Girl across the Wrangle Narrows' northernmost 22-mile canal on a cold and windy June day. She and her team are looking forward to spending time with their family and friends after another lengthy harvesting journey.

 

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