Deep Sea Fishing Crew – General Hand

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 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, catching, processing, and packaging seafood onboard, delivering the finest New Zealand seafood to tables worldwide.

Life at sea is never the same two days - and as a General Hand, you'll be part of the crew that makes it all happen. You'll work across the full journey of our catch, spending most of your time in the factory processing area sorting, cleaning, and packing seafood to the highest quality standards, while also helping out on deck when needed. Depending on the vessel you join, your days could look a little different - but every role is hands-on, physically demanding, and rewarding.

This is an Independent Contractor (self-employment) role based out of Timaru, working aboard one of our longliners, scampi, or factory trawlers. Our crews typically work 6-12 weeks on / 6 weeks off, with all meals provided, Wi-Fi to keep you connected, and the opportunity to earn year-round while working only 6-8 months.

What to expect on each vessel:

• Factory trawler - These vessels have large onboard processing factories where the catch is sorted, filleted, packed, and frozen at sea. You'll rotate through different areas - from trimming and packing to freezer work and weigh stations, while also lending a hand on deck when required.
• Longliner - You'll be working right on deck with the catch as it comes in, sorting and cleaning fish, baiting hooks for the next set, and keeping the deck safe and organised. Longlining requires precision and strong teamwork, with early starts and a fast-paced routine as lines are hauled and reset.
• Scampi - Processing scampi is a detailed and careful job. You'll help with trawl setup and gear retrieval, sort and pack scampi to exact specifications, and keep the processing area spotless. Scampi work is precise but varied, with time split between deck work and the processing area.

Please note: Not all vessels mentioned are 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 organised work areas.
• Process catch - sorting, cleaning, filleting, packing, and labelling 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 follow food safety standards at all times while ensuring proper packaging and labelling.
• Follow vessel hygiene and safety protocols, recognise alarms, know muster points, wear appropriate PPE and take part in safety drills and training.
• Assist with loading and unloading to keep operations running smoothly.

About you:

You've got a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and the stamina for life at sea. You're adaptable, work well with people from all walks of life, and can handle the physical and mental demands of long hours in a marine environment. You're also ready to learn, whether it's about seafood processing, gear handling, or the ins and outs of vessel safety.

What we're looking for:

• Proven ability to handle the physical and mental demands of the role and life at sea.
• Experience in seafood processing, deck work, or maritime operations is an advantage but not essential.
• Awareness of health, safety, and hygiene standards in a workplace.
• Resilience, adaptability, and a team-player mindset.

Been referred by a Mate?

Have you been recommended by someone currently working or engaged with Sanford? We know great people refer great people—and we're always keen to welcome high-quality crew through trusted referrals. To be eligible for our Refer-a-Mate rewards, be sure to include the name of the person who referred you when you apply.

Terms and conditions apply - refer to the DWF Referral Scheme Policy via the People and Culture team.

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.