Lobster Season in PEI – Gear & Safety Equipment for a Successful Catch

Lobster season in PEI is one of the busiest and most important times of the year for local fishers. With long days on the water and heavy gear moving on and off the docks, efficiency and safety are key to a successful catch. The right equipment can make all the difference, helping you work faster, reduce strain, and stay organized throughout the season. 

1. Moving Heavy Gear Efficiently
2. Organizing the Dock Area
3. Smart Storage Solutions
4. Safety First: Checks & Accessories
5. Quick Lobster Season Gear Checklist

Contact Island Handling Systems today to find the right gear that will make your lobster season safer, easier, and more productive.

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Key Takeaways

• Proper Gear Boosts Efficiency: Pallet jacks, carts, and dock plates make moving traps, bait, and heavy equipment faster and safer.
• Organized Docks Improve Workflow: Shelving, storage racks, and clear pathways prevent bottlenecks during busy load/unload times.
• Safety is Essential: Straps, lighting, and PPE like gloves, safety glasses, hard hats, and vests protect workers and reduce accidents.
• Regular Checks Keep Operations Smooth: Inspect equipment and safety gear regularly to avoid delays and hazards.
• Preparation Pays Off: Having all gear staged, organized, and ready ensures a productive lobster season from start to finish.
• Island Handling Systems Can Help: Their equipment and solutions support safer, more efficient, and more successful lobster operations.

Lobster Season in PEI

​1. Moving Heavy Gear Efficiently

Lobster season in PEI involves endless handling of traps, bait, and other heavy equipment. If left without equipment, the work can put excessive stress on your crew and slow operations down. Island Handling Systems pallet jacks, carts and hand trucks provide a quicker, more secure way to move gear around the dock and staging areas.

• Less Strain on Workers: Pallet carts and jacks allow crews to carry heavy loads with less strain and effort, reducing the risk of unnecessary injuries and excessive fatigue.
• Efficient Workflow: With smoothly moving equipment and no pulling, crews can spend less time pulling and more time focused on the catch.
• Powerful Handling of Heavy Loads: Whether it’s traps, bait boxes, or bundled rope, pallet jacks, carts and hand trucks are built to manage the weight safely.
• Optimize Dock Efficiency: Effective transportation means less downtime and faster turnaround between trips.

When you invest in effective handling equipment, you are not just protecting your crew but also setting your crew up for a more efficient lobster season.

​2. Organizing the Dock Area

​A busy lobster season in PEI generates constant activity with traps, bait, and supplies in constant motion. Without organization, docks are prone to becoming cluttered and dangerous. Proper equipment helps create an efficient workflow and reduce risk for your crew.

Tools to Improve Dock Safety and Efficiency

• Dock Plates for Smooth Transfers: Dock plates establish a level, stable surface between trucks, warehouses, and docks, facilitating simple and safe transfer of heavy equipment.
• Heavy Lifting Equipment: Hoists, lifts, or other lifting devices reduce manual handling and speed transfers from boat to dock.
• Safe Crew Pathways: Pre-planned gear placement eliminates tripping hazards and lets everyone move quickly during loading and unloading.

Why Dock Organization Matters

A well-organized dock area is important for a number of reasons, including:

• Prevent Bottlenecks: Well-organized dock areas make it possible for equipment to flow continuously, even during heavy-loading/unloading times.
• Improve Safety: Organized layouts reduce accidents caused by clutter or improper lifting.
• Boost Productivity: With everything in its place, crew members spend less time searching for equipment and more time working.

By setting up your dock with the right handling equipment and clear organization, you can turn a hectic worksite into a safe, efficient hub for lobster season.

​3. Smart Storage Solutions

There's just so much gear required for lobster season in PEI, it's worthwhile to stay well-organized. Having equipment stored in a proper manner saves time, protects useful tools from damage, and has everything ready to go when you need it.

Storage Solutions for a Safer, More Efficient Season

• Shelving Units for Staging Gear: Heavy-duty shelving holds traps, bait boxes, and rope tidily and off the ground.
• Storage Racks for Easy Retrieval: Racks allow you to sort and group equipment by type, making it easy to retrieve exactly what you need on busy days.
• Protect Equipment from Wear and Tear: Proper storage reduces wear and tear, providing your equipment with a longer lifespan.
• Maximize Dock Space: Organized shelving and racks free up floor space, giving crews more room to move safely.

Benefits of Storage

• Faster Workflow: Crews can readily locate and access equipment without downtime.
• Improved Safety: Having your equipment neatly stored away eliminates dock congestion, reducing the chances of tripping.
• Year-Round Efficiency: Structured storage systems make maintenance simpler throughout the busy seasons.

By investing in shelving and storage systems, you create a dock that is safer, more efficient, and better able to withstand the demands of lobster season.

​4. Safety First: Checks & Accessories

Lobstering season puts both workers and equipment to the test. Staying safe means paying attention to the small details that protect crews and prevent costly delays.

Essential Equipment and Accessories

• Straps and Tie-Downs: Straps and tie-downs keep traps, bait, and equipment secure during transport to avoid shifting loads.
• Lighting Solutions: Good dock and work lights improve visibility on those early mornings, late nights, and during foggy conditions.
• Dock Safety Equipment: Dock plates and lifting devices enable smoother, safer equipment transfers.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Crews

• Gloves: Gloves protect your hands from rope burns, sharp edges, and heavy lifting.
• Safety Glasses: Safety glasses protect your eyes from flying debris, hooks, or accidental splashes.
• Hard Hats: Hard hats are required when lifting gear overhead or when in close proximity to cranes.
• High-Visibility Vests: High-visibility vests will assist in making crew members highly visible in busy dock areas.
• Steel-Toe Boots: These offer added protection from dropped traps or heavy equipment.

Why Safety is Important

• Protects Workers: Following proper safety procedures reduces risk of accident and injury on the dock.
• Prevents Delays: Well-secured and safely handled gear means fewer setbacks.
• Supports Efficiency: A safe crew is a confident crew, one that can efficiently and effectively work quickly.

By combining the right safety accessories with durable PPE, lobster crews can remain on task, without unwarranted risks slowing them down.

5. Quick Lobster Season Gear Checklist

Before heading into the busy season, make sure your dock, crew, and gear are ready to handle the workload safely and efficiently.

• Pallet Jacks and Carts: Ensure you have the right equipment for moving traps, bait, and heavy loads.
• Dock Plates and Lifting Gear: Set up for smooth transfers between trucks, boats, and storage areas.
• Shelving and Storage Solutions: Keep gear staged, organized, and easy to access.
• Straps and Tie-Downs: Secure all loads for transport and dockside handling.
• Lighting Solutions: Improve visibility during early mornings, evenings, and poor weather.
• PPE for Crew: Stock gloves, safety glasses, hard hats, safety vests, and steel-toe boots for all workers.
• Safety Checks: Inspect all equipment regularly to avoid breakdowns or accidents mid-season.

Being prepared not only makes your operation safer but also keeps your workflow running smoothly when every catch counts.

Gear Up for Lobster Season in PEI with Island Handling Systems

At Island Handling Systems, we’re here to make lobster season in PEI smoother, safer, and more productive. From pallet jacks to carts, storage solutions, and PPE, we have the gear you need to keep your operation running at its best. Don’t wait until the season is in full swing, contact Island Handling Systems today to get set up with the right equipment and support for a successful catch.

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What Our Customers Are Saying...

"We use Island Handling Systems to order items such as storage supplies and most recently, carts to assist with our fall UPEI Residence move in. Unfortunately, the model cart that we wanted was not available until October 2024, leaving us in a bind with 700+ students moving in within several short weeks.
While this was entirely on us for not looking to place this order sooner, Char with Island Handling went above and beyond to try to get an alternative order submitted for us that would arrive in time. When it was discovered that it wasn't possible, Char actually loaned us 4 carts. Not only did she loan us them, she had them delivered to us, during what is our absolute busiest time of the year. This removed so much stress and allowed our move-in process to proceed smoothly.
We are so incredibly grateful for her diligence and kindness and will be looking to use this company whenever it is possible!
Thanks so much, Char & the Island Handling team! You're the best!
Sincerely, Megan and the Ancillary Services team!"
-Megan Ratchford

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