On the flip side, commercial vessels do differ from conventional research vessels in a number of important ways:

• Commercial vessels vary immensely in reliability; make sure you pick one that is likely to remain functional for the duration of your project.
• Scheduling can be difficult, especially if research trips are intermixed with fishing activity.
• Expect a lower level of personal comfort; these are working vessels, not cruise ships.
• Captains and crews are generally motivated by the gamble that a successful fishing trip will be lucrative, not love of knowledge (unless you are doing fisheries research of personal interest to the captain).

In general, fishermen interested in research projects will understand that this is not a quick route to financial riches, and will expect to cover their operating costs and make a modest profit. Nevertheless, you may be surprised by the magnitude of their operating costs. While it is relatively easy to agree on a nominal compensation level, problems often occur because of differing expectations about how that agreement will actually be implemented. When structuring an agreement, be sure to consider the following:

• Who pays for scheduled days lost because of weather?
• Who pays for scheduled days lost to crew availability problems?
• Do you pay for time required for preparation for research trips (and clean-up afterwards)?
• Who is liable for equipment repairs (e.g., research equipment like nets vs. vessel equipment like winches) and cost over-runs (e.g., variation in fuel costs)?
• Who provides insurance for research personnel (and at what level of coverage)?
• How do you schedule vessel payments? The fishing industry operates on a last day of the trip, cash basis, while most research institutions and funding agencies pay their bills in an exceedingly leisurely fashion.
• If the vessel is not captained by the owner, make certain that the captain is included in all negotiations and discussions of expectations. Once you leave the dock, you will be working with the captain, not the owner.
• If research trips are mixed with fishing trips, how will market pressures and profit differentials affect fulfillment of research commitments?
• Consider the likely gender complement of the research staff when evaluating on board living conditions. Commercial vessels are usually designed for a single sex, male crew.
• Can a daily charter rate be negotiated at 12-hour (or less) increments?

A contract or other formal written agreement should be considered mandatory, but do not operate under the illusion that you will anticipate and negotiate every pitfall in advance. Every charter or working agreement will produce unexpected surprises that require negotiation. Ultimately, no paper document can replace a good working relationship with the captain/owner and crew. Make the time well before the start of any project to work through the tough questions outlined above, negotiate a written contract, and develop a clear understanding of each otheršs sensitivities.