About us

At Sanford, we are proud of our 100+ years of seafood history, passionate about our industry and excited about our future. Our vision is Leadership in New Zealand Seafood, achieving this through a value led approach of care, passion, integrity and achieving together in all that we do.

About the role

Jump on board our deep-water fleet, a league of 12 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, catching, processing, and packaging seafood onboard, delivering the finest New Zealand seafood to tables worldwide.

As a Qualified Deck Hand, you'll play a crucial role in ensuring smooth operations on deck, working across our diverse fleet of vessels located in Timaru. This is an Independent Contractor role (self-employment) where our vessels are located in Timaru. You are normally expected to work 6 weeks on and 6 weeks off, while enjoying endless amounts of food, staying connected with Wi-Fi, and earning all year-round.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with trawl set up, hauling, and shooting of gear.
• Clean and maintain the deck, ensuring safety and functionality of all equipment.
• Participate in safety drills, follow safety protocols, and maintain safety equipment.
• Repair and maintain fishing gear and vessel equipment.
• Load and unload supplies and catch, ensuring proper handling and storage.
• Support factory operations as required.

About you:

You will bring a positive attitude that aligns with our values of care, passion, integrity, and teamwork. You're committed to health and safety, both for yourself and the crew. You work well with people from diverse backgrounds, are a strong team player, and manage your time effectively between shifts. Open to learning and new opportunities while being physically and mentally fit, ready to face the challenges of life at sea.

What we're looking for:

• Hold an Advanced Deckhand Fishing Certification (ADH-F) or equivalent
• Previous work on a fishing vessel or other maritime roles
• Proven ability to handle the physical demands of the role and life at sea

Sanford offers endless opportunities, with a diverse team of over 1500 people working in various roles, including remote locations like the seas surrounding Antarctica. Join us to deliver the highest quality seafood to plates worldwide.

You must be eligible to work in New Zealand. Our recruitment process includes pre-engagement checks including criminal history check, drug and alcohol testing, and a medical assessment.