Profession fisheries deckhand

Fisheries deckhands work on fishing vessels where they carry out fishing related activities. They undertake a wide range of fishing and maritime work on land and at sea, such as handling of fishing gears and catches, communications, supply, seamanship, hospitality and stores.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional
• Realistic / Enterprising

Knowledge

• Risks associated with undertaking fishing operations

  General risks occuring when working on fishing boats and specific risks occurring only in some fishing modalities. Prevention of threats and accidents.

• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships

  The fundamental principals and requirements laid in the International Regulation for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL): Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil, Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk, prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Form, Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships, Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships, Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships.

• Fishing gear

  Identification of the different gear used in capture fisheries and their functional capacity.

• Quality assurance methodologies

  Quality assurance principles, standard requirements, and the set of processes and activities used for measuring, controlling and ensuring the quality of products and processes.

• International regulations for preventing collisions at sea

  Fundamental aspects of the international regulations to prevent collisions at sea, such as the conduct of vessels in sight of one another, navigation lights and markers, major light and accoustic signals, maritime signalling and buoys.

• Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries

  Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the guidelines established for professional fishers.

• Fisheries legislation

  The study and analysis of different fisheries management approaches taking into account international treaties and industry norms in order to analyze fisheries management regulations. 

• Quality of fish products

  Factors affecting the quality of fish products. For instance, differences between species, impact of the fishing gears and parasite influence on the preservation of quality.

• Pollution prevention

  The processes used to prevent pollution: precautions to pollution of the environment, procedures to counter pollution and associated equipment, and possible measures to protect the environment.

• Deterioration of fish products

  Process of decomposition and spoilage of fish products: physical, enzymatic, microbiological and chemical processes occurring after harvesting.

• Fishing vessels

  Denomination of the different elements and equipment of fishing vessels.

• Health and safety regulations

  Necessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.

• Fire-fighting systems

  The devices and systems used to extinguish fires; the classes and chemistry of fire.

Skills

• Survive at sea in the event of ship abandonment

  Identify muster signals and what emergencies they signal. Comply with established procedures. Don and use a lifejacket or an immersion suit. Safely jump into the water from a height. Swim and right an inverted liferaft while wearing a swim while wearing a lifejacket. Keep afloat without a lifejacket. Board a survival craft from the ship, or from the water while wearing a lifejacket. Take initial actions on boarding survival craft to enhance chance of survival. Stream a drogue or sea-anchor. Operate survival craft equipment. Operate location devices, including radio equipment.

• Extinguish fires

  Choose the adequate substances and methods to extinguish fires depending on their size, such as water and various chemical agents. Use a breathing apparatus.

• Assist in ship maintenance

  Contribute to shipboard maintenance and repair using painting, lubrication and cleaning materials and equipment. Execute routine maintenance and repair procedures. Dispose safely waste materials. Apply, maintain and use hand and power tools.

• Assist anchoring operations

  Assist during anchoring operations; operate equipment and assist in anchor manoeuvres.

• Assist with emergencies

  Take immediate action when an accident or medical emergency happens on-board. Identify the injuries and alert medical emergency staff. Seek to prevent further harm.

• Handle fish products

  Handle fish with care and hygiene required to maintain quality. Adequately prepare fish products for storage.

• Follow written instructions

  Follow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.

• Moor vessels

  Follow standard procedures to moor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.

• Unmoor vessels

  Follow standard procedures to unmoor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.

• Support vessel manoeuvres

  Participate in manoeuvres at port: berthing, anchoring and other mooring operations. Contribute to a safe navigational watch.

• Wash decks of ships

  Clean the ship's deck by sweeping and washing it thoroughly. Remove superfluous salt and water to avoid oxidation.

• Follow hygienic practices in fishery operations

  Comply with the right regulations and practices for hygienically handling fishery related tasks and responsibilities in fishery operations.

• Prepare lifeboats

  Prepare lifeboats in ships before departure, ensure full functionality in case of emergency, follow regulatory instructions for lifesaving boats.

• Operate echo sounding equipment

  Operate technological equipment to measure the ocean's depth. Calculate and interpret results, and communicate them to management.

• Swim

  Move through water by means of the limbs.

• Follow work procedures

  Adhere to procedures at work in a structured and systematic manner.

• Work in outdoor conditions

  Can cope with the different climate conditions such as heat, rain, cold or in strong wind.

• Operate ship equipment

  Operate ship equipment such as engines and generators, winches, and HVAC systems. Assume responsibility for all exterior equipment, as well as some interior. Ensure that deck equipment is operated safely.

• Use fishing vessel equipment

  Dispose fishing gear and ship's deck for successful extraction activities as directed by the superior. Run shooting and hauling gear operations for its optimal performance.

• Handle cargo

  Manage safely the mechanical elements in the loading and unloading of cargo and stores. Stowing and unstowing of products following instructions.

• Secure ships using rope

  Use rope to secure and untie the ship before departure or upon arrival.

• Prepare deck equipment

  Handle a wide assortment of deck equipment, including waterproof marine doors, hatches, winches, pumps, cleats, fairleads, portlights, shackles, swivels, tank top covers, anchors, and bollards. Prepare and organise equipment in the required locations and quantity on board a vessel.

• Maintain safe navigation watches

  Observe principles in keeping a navigation watch. Take over, accept and pass on a watch. Steer the vessel and perform routine duties undertaken during a watch. Observe safety and emergency procedures. Observe safety precautions during a watch and take immediate actions in the event of fire or accident.

• Preserve fish products

  Place and classify fish products for proper conservation. Maintain suitable conditions for the conservation of fishery products.

• Follow verbal instructions

  Have the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB