What type of fishing vessel is it?
Crab boats venture great distances during winter in treacherous, icy seas to pot fish for crab. Two types of crab boats were developed in the early 1970s to maximize safety of the vessel and crew. Prior to this time, crabbers could not handle the weight of crab pots, and many boats capsized from poorly balanced weight distribution.

Deployed Crab Boat
Alaska Department of Fish and Game

How does the gear work?
One type of crabber has the cabin on the stern with the wheelhouse looking out over the working deck. This allows the skipper to better observe what is taking place on deck. The other type has the cabin and wheelhouse on the forward end of the boat. This protects the workmen with the cabin blocking the breaking waves and minimizing wind and wave action on deck.

Normally the starboard (right) side of the boat has a waist-high bull rail where crab pots are moved on and off the vessel. The port (left) side acts as a wave breaker with a six-foot steel wall protecting the workmen from pounding waves and spray.