Deep Sea Fishing Crew – General Hand (Independent

About the Company At Sanford, we take pride in our rich seafood heritage that spans over a century. We are passionate about our industry and excited about the future. Our vision is to lead the New Zealand seafood sector by embracing a value-driven approach that emphasizes care, passion, integrity, and collaboration in everything we do. About the Role Join our deep-water fleet, which comprises 13 fishing vessels operating year-round from Cape Reinga to the Ross Sea. Our deep-sea vessels can be at sea for up to 12 weeks at a time, where we catch, process, and package seafood on board, delivering the finest New Zealand seafood to tables around the world. As a General Hand, you will be an integral part of our crew, contributing to the full lifecycle of our catch. Most of your time will be spent in the factory processing area, where you will sort, clean, and pack seafood to meet our high-quality standards. Additionally, you will assist on deck when needed. Depending on the vessel you are assigned to, your daily tasks may vary, but every role is hands-on, physically demanding, and rewarding. This position is an Independent Contractor role based in Timaru, working aboard one of our longliners, scampi, or factory trawlers. Our crews typically work 6 to 12 weeks on followed by 6 weeks off. We provide all meals and Wi-Fi to keep you connected, giving you the opportunity to earn year-round while only working for 6 to 8 months. What to Expect on Each Vessel Factory Trawler: These vessels feature large onboard processing factories where the catch is sorted, filleted, packed, and frozen at sea. You will rotate through various areas, including trimming, packing, freezer work, and weigh stations, while also helping on deck when required. Longliner: You will work on deck with the catch, sorting and cleaning fish, baiting hooks for the next set, and maintaining a safe and organized deck. Longlining demands precision and strong teamwork, with early starts and a fast-paced routine as lines are hauled and reset. Scampi: Processing scampi involves meticulous attention to detail. You will assist with trawl setup and gear retrieval, sort and pack scampi to exact specifications, and keep the processing area clean. The work is precise but varied, with your time split between deck work and processing. Please note that not all vessels may be available at all times. Allocation and start dates are subject to vessel availability and operational requirements. Responsibilities Across the Fleet - Assist with fishing operations, including gear handling, baiting hooks, trawl deployment, or longline setup. - Maintain clean, safe, and organized work areas. - Process catch by sorting, cleaning, filleting, packing, and labeling to meet quality specifications. - Operate and maintain basic processing or deck machinery and equipment such as conveyors, filleting machines, and packaging machinery. - Inspect product quality and adhere to food safety standards while ensuring proper packaging and labeling. - Follow vessel hygiene and safety protocols, recognize alarms, know muster points, wear appropriate personal protective equipment, and participate in safety drills and training. - Assist with loading and unloading to ensure smooth operations. About You We are looking for candidates with a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and the stamina required for life at sea. You should be adaptable, able to collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and capable of handling the physical and mental demands of extended hours in a marine environment. A willingness to learn about seafood processing, gear handling, and vessel safety is essential. What We Are Looking For - Proven ability to manage the physical and mental demands of the role and life at sea. - Experience in seafood processing, deck work, or maritime operations is advantageous but not essential. - Awareness of health, safety, and hygiene standards in the workplace. - Resilience, adaptability, and a team-oriented mindset. Referral Information If you have been referred by a current employee or someone engaged with Sanford, we encourage you to include their name in your application. We value referrals from our team and are always eager to welcome quality crew members through trusted connections. Terms and conditions apply; please refer to the DWF Referral Scheme Policy via the People and Culture team. Sanford offers a wealth of opportunities within a diverse team of over 1,500 individuals working in various roles, including remote locations such as the seas surrounding Antarctica. Join us in delivering the highest quality seafood to plates around the world. Eligibility You must be eligible to work in New Zealand. Our recruitment process includes pre-engagement checks, including a criminal history check, drug and alcohol testing, and a medical assessment.