The Stonington crew schedule is a rotating work schedule used by the Stonington, Maine-based lobster fishing fleet, typically alternating between 3 days on and 3 days off, with 12-hour shifts. However, the exact pattern varies by boat, season, and whether the crew works inshore or offshore.
Background: Why Stonington Has Its Own Schedule
Stonington is one of the busiest lobster ports in the United States, landing millions of pounds of lobster each year. The fleet is made up of hundreds of small to mid-sized boats, most of which operate from dawn to dusk during the warmer months. The “Stonington crew schedule” emerged informally as a way to balance the long, physically demanding days of hauling traps with the need for predictable rest. Unlike factory ships or offshore draggers that run 24/7, Stonington’s day boats usually return to port each evening, so the schedule is built around daylight, tide, and weather windows.
In practice, many Stonington captains run a 3-on, 3-off rotation. That means a crew member works three consecutive days, then has three days off, then works three more days, and so on. Some boats use a 4-on, 2-off pattern, especially during peak season when lobsters are migrating and trap hauling is heavy. Others, particularly smaller boats with a captain and one sternman, simply work every day the weather allows and take days off when the forecast is bad.
How the Schedule Works Day-to-Day
A typical workday on a Stonington lobster boat starts early. Crew members are usually at the dock by 4:30 or 5:00 AM, loading bait and checking fuel. The boat leaves the harbor at first light, runs to the fishing grounds—often 10 to 20 miles offshore—and spends the day hauling traps, removing lobsters, re-baiting, and resetting. The crew returns to port in the late afternoon, often by 3:00 or 4:00 PM, then unloads the catch and cleans the boat.
On a 3-on, 3-off schedule, the three work days are consecutive, so a crew member might work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, then have Thursday, Friday, Saturday off, then work Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and so on. The off days are not necessarily the same for every crew member on the same boat; the captain may stagger the rotation so that at least one experienced sternman is always on board. Some boats have a crew of three (captain, sternman, and a third hand), which allows a rotation where two people work each day and one is off.
Choosing a Schedule: Factors That Matter
If you are considering working on a Stonington boat, the schedule is usually set by the captain, not the crew. But several factors influence the pattern:
- Season: In summer and early fall, lobsters are more active and the season is busier, so schedules tend to have more work days. In winter, many boats tie up entirely or fish only a few days a week.
- Boat size and crew count: A two-person boat (captain and one sternman) cannot easily rotate unless the captain has a substitute. A three-person crew allows more flexibility.
- Weather: Stonington’s fleet is weather-dependent. If a storm blows through on a scheduled work day, the trip is canceled and the schedule shifts, often making the pattern irregular in practice.
- Personal preference: Some crew members prefer longer stretches off to travel or work a second job. Captains may accommodate that if it does not disrupt the fishing.
Common Problems with the Stonington Schedule
The biggest complaint from crew members is unpredictability. Weather cancellations mean that a 3-on, 3-off pattern can become 1-on, 5-off, then 5-on, 1-off. Also, because the schedule is not tied to a calendar week, it can be hard to plan family events or second jobs. Another issue is fatigue: even with three days off, a 12-hour day of hauling heavy traps is exhausting, and some crew members find that three consecutive days is too much, especially in rough seas.
There is also a safety dimension. The U.S. Coast Guard does not regulate rest hours for commercial fishing crew members, unlike for truck drivers or airline pilots. That means a captain can work a crew for many days in a row if the weather is good. In practice, most Stonington captains are experienced and conservative, but the lack of formal limits means the crew has to speak up if they feel too tired to work safely.
Comparison to Other Fishing Schedules
Stonington’s day-boat schedule is very different from the schedules used on larger offshore vessels. A Gulf of Maine groundfish boat might go out for 5 to 10 days at a time, working 12-hour shifts around the clock, then take a week off. A Bering Sea crab boat in Alaska can work 20-hour days for several weeks straight, then have months off. In contrast, Stonington’s schedule is more like a regular job: you go home every night, but the work is seasonal and weather-dependent.
Compared to other lobster ports in Maine, Stonington is similar to Port Clyde or Vinalhaven, but the specific rotation is not standardized. Some captains in other ports work 5-on, 2-off, while others work every day. The 3-on, 3-off pattern is more common in Stonington because it gives crew members a predictable block of time off, which is valuable in a small town where many people have second jobs or family obligations.
Costs and Pay Structure
Crew pay on Stonington boats is almost always a share of the catch, not an hourly wage. A typical split is 60% to the boat (covering fuel, bait, traps, and gear) and 40% to the crew, divided among the crew members. On a two-person boat, the captain and sternman might split the crew share 50/50, so each gets 20% of the gross. On a three-person boat, the captain might take 25% and each crew member 15%, or the split might be 60/20/20.
There are no set costs for the crew beyond personal gear (raingear, boots, gloves) and sometimes a contribution to the bait bill if the captain asks. Crew members are typically not paid if they do not work, so a canceled trip means no income for that day. That is why the schedule matters: more work days mean more money, but also more fatigue.
Safety and Best Practices
Safety is critical on any commercial fishing boat, and the Stonington schedule affects safety in several ways. The most important rule is to never work so many consecutive days that you become dangerously fatigued. If you are a crew member, tell the captain if you are too tired to work safely. Also, always wear a personal flotation device (PFD) when on deck, especially when hauling traps, because a man overboard is the leading cause of death in the Maine lobster fishery. Check the weather forecast every morning and do not go out if the seas are above the boat’s safe limit.
Another safety point: the 3-on, 3-off schedule can lead to a false sense of security. Even if you have had three days off, the first day back on the water is still dangerous because you are out of the rhythm. Take extra care when handling lines, bait, and traps, and never stand in the bight of a rope.
Template: Stonington Crew Schedule
Use this blank schedule to plan a 3-on, 3-off rotation for a two-person crew. Fill in the dates for a month.
| Date | Captain | Sternman |
|---|---|---|
| ________ | Work | Work |
| ________ | Work | Work |
| ________ | Work | Work |
| ________ | Off | Off |
| ________ | Off | Off |
| ________ | Off | Off |
| ________ | Work | Work |
Sample (fictional): June 1, 2, 3 – Work; June 4, 5, 6 – Off; June 7, 8, 9 – Work; etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Stonington crew schedule always 3 on, 3 off?
No. It is the most common pattern, but many boats use 4 on, 2 off, or simply work weather-permitting days. The captain decides the schedule, and it often changes with the season.
Can I have a second job with this schedule?
Yes, many crew members do, because the 3-day blocks off are predictable enough for a part-time job, but you must be flexible because weather can alter the schedule at the last minute.
Do crew members get paid on days off?
No. Pay is a share of the catch, so you only earn on days you actually fish. If a trip is canceled due to weather, you do not get paid for that day.
How do I find a job on a Stonington boat?
Ask around at the Stonington Town Dock or the local lobster cooperative. Many captains hire by word of mouth, so it helps to have experience or a referral from another fisherman.
What if I want a more regular schedule?
Look for a boat that fishes fewer days per week, or consider a shore-based job at a lobster pound or processing plant, which typically has fixed hours.