Transport & StorageDrivers and mobile plant operatorsISCO 8350
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.
About fisheries deckhand
As a fisheries deckhand, you will work on commercial fishing vessels in a dynamic, physically demanding maritime environment where your contributions are essential to successful fishing operations. Your daily duties involve handling fishing gear, managing catches, maintaining vessel equipment, preparing lifeboats, mooring vessels, and performing various seamanship tasks both at sea and on land. You'll work with advanced fishing technologies and manage fish preservation to ensure product quality, all while adhering to strict international maritime regulations and responsible fisheries codes. This role requires strong teamwork, resilience, and a commitment to safety—fishing operations involve inherent risks, so understanding fire-fighting systems, emergency procedures, and safe working practices is critical. The Polish fishing industry, particularly in Pomeranian ports like Gdańsk and Świnoujście, continues to be an important economic sector. Demand for skilled deckhands remains steady as the industry modernizes and implements sustainable fishing practices in compliance with EU regulations.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a fisheries deckhand.
1
Handle and manage fishing operations
- Deploy and retrieve fishing gear including nets, lines, and traps according to procedures
- Manage caught fish and organize storage to maintain product quality
- Understand and comply with Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
- Sort, clean, and prepare fish catches for storage and transport
- Monitor fish product quality and report deterioration or spoilage
2
Maintain vessel equipment and deck
- Prepare and maintain deck equipment including winches, pulleys, and rigging
- Clean and maintain the vessel's deck and hold areas to ensure sanitary conditions
- Perform routine maintenance on fishing equipment and vessel systems
- Report equipment damage or malfunction to supervisors and assist with repairs
3
Perform seamanship duties
- Moor and secure vessels at ports and at sea using proper techniques
- Prepare and maintain lifeboats and life-saving equipment in readiness
- Monitor weather conditions and adjust vessel operations accordingly
- Assist with navigation and watch duties as assigned
- Follow international regulations for preventing collisions at sea (COLREGS)
4
Ensure safety and emergency preparedness
- Follow health and safety regulations specific to fishing vessel operations
- Understand and be prepared to respond to fire-fighting systems and emergency procedures
- Assist with emergency drills and maintain personal safety equipment
- Report hazards and near-miss incidents to vessel management
- Understand and recognize risks associated with undertaking fishing operations
5
Comply with maritime regulations and quality standards
- Follow International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
- Adhere to pollution prevention practices and proper waste disposal procedures
- Implement quality assurance methodologies for fish and seafood products
- Follow hygienic practices in fishery operations and food handling
- Understand and comply with fisheries legislation and regulations
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (35)
international regulations for preventing collisions at seainternational regulations for preventing collisions at seaFundamental 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 sign...fishing gearfishing gearIdentification of the different gear used in capture fisheries and their functional capacity.pollution preventionpollution preventionThe 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.code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheriescode of Conduct for Responsible FisheriesFood and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the guidelines established for professional fishers.International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ShipsInternational Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ShipsThe 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 fo...deterioration of fish productsdeterioration of fish productsProcess of decomposition and spoilage of fish products: physical, enzymatic, microbiological and chemical processes occurring after harvesting.fisheries legislationfisheries legislationThe study and analysis of different fisheries management approaches taking into account international treaties and industry norms in order to analyze fisheries management regulations.quality assurance methodologiesquality assurance methodologiesQuality assurance principles, standard requirements, and the set of processes and activities used for measuring, controlling and ensuring the quality of products and processes.fire-fighting systemsfire-fighting systemsThe devices and systems used to extinguish fires; the classes and chemistry of fire.fishing vesselsfishing vesselsDenomination of the different elements and equipment of fishing vessels.risks associated with undertaking fishing operationsrisks associated with undertaking fishing operationsGeneral risks occuring when working on fishing boats and specific risks occurring only in some fishing modalities. Prevention of threats and accidents.quality of fish productsquality of fish productsFactors affecting the quality of fish products. For instance, differences between species, impact of the fishing gears and parasite influence on the preservation of quality.health and safety regulationshealth and safety regulationsNecessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.follow hygienic practices in fishery operationsfollow hygienic practices in fishery operationsComply with the right regulations and practices for hygienically handling fishery related tasks and responsibilities in fishery operations.assist with emergenciesassist with emergenciesTake immediate action when an accident or medical emergency happens on-board. Identify the injuries and alert medical emergency staff. Seek to prevent further harm.preserve fish productspreserve fish productsPlace and classify fish products for proper conservation. Maintain suitable conditions for the conservation of fishery products.extinguish firesextinguish firesChoose the adequate substances and methods to extinguish fires depending on their size, such as water and various chemical agents. Use a breathing apparatus.prepare lifeboatsprepare lifeboatsPrepare lifeboats in ships before departure, ensure full functionality in case of emergency, follow regulatory instructions for lifesaving boats.moor vesselsmoor vesselsFollow standard procedures to moor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.prepare deck equipmentprepare deck equipmentHandle a wide assortment of deck equipment, including waterproof marine doors, hatches, winches, pumps, cleats, fairleads, portlights, shackles, swivels, tank top covers, anchors, and bollards. Prepar...use fishing vessel equipmentuse fishing vessel equipmentDispose 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.clean shipsclean shipsRemove dirt from the ship by sweeping, scrubbing and washing the deck and other areas. Remove superfluous salt and water to avoid oxidation.assist anchoring operationsassist anchoring operationsAssist during anchoring operations; operate equipment and assist in anchor manoeuvres.operate ship equipmentoperate ship equipmentOperate 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 saf...survive at sea in the event of ship abandonmentsurvive at sea in the event of ship abandonmentIdentify 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...handle fish productshandle fish productsHandle fish with care and hygiene required to maintain quality. Adequately prepare fish products for storage.follow work proceduresfollow work proceduresAdhere to procedures at work in a structured and systematic manner.assist in ship maintenanceassist in ship maintenanceContribute to shipboard maintenance and repair using painting, lubrication and cleaning materials and equipment. Execute routine maintenance and repair procedures. Dispose safely waste materials. Appl...operate echo sounding equipmentoperate echo sounding equipmentOperate technological equipment to measure the ocean's depth. Calculate and interpret results, and communicate them to management.secure ships using ropesecure ships using ropeUse rope to secure and untie the ship before departure or upon arrival.handle cargohandle cargoManage safely the mechanical elements in the loading and unloading of cargo and stores. Stowing and unstowing of products following instructions.unmoor vesselsunmoor vesselsFollow standard procedures to unmoor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.maintain safe navigation watchesmaintain safe navigation watchesObserve 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 emergency procedures and safety ...support vessel manoeuvressupport vessel manoeuvresParticipate in manoeuvres at port: berthing, anchoring and other mooring operations. Contribute to a safe navigational watch.follow verbal instructionsfollow verbal instructionsHave the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.
Optional (27)
types of maritime vesselstypes of maritime vesselsVarious types of maritime vessels such as container ships, passenger ships and fishing vessels, and their characteristics and specifications, security, technical, and maintenance requirements.assessment of risks and threatsassessment of risks and threatsThe security documentation and any security-related communications and information.maritime meteorologymaritime meteorologyThe scientific field of study that interprets meteorological information and applies it to ensure the safety of marine traffic.fish anatomyfish anatomyThe study of the form or morphology of fish species.Global Maritime Distress and Safety SystemGlobal Maritime Distress and Safety SystemThe internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft.use radar navigationuse radar navigationOperate modern radar navigation equipment to ensure safe vessel operations.work in a fishery teamwork in a fishery teamWork as part of a crew or team, and meet team deadlines and responsibilities together.operate traditional water depth measurement equipmentoperate traditional water depth measurement equipmentOperate traditional water depth measuring equipment e.g. weights on a line, and traditional techniques for measuring the depth of water, particularly along coastlines and near harbours.manage engine-room resourcesmanage engine-room resourcesAllocate, assign, and prioritise engine-room resources. Communicate effectively, showing assertiveness and leadership. Obtain and maintain situational awareness, considering of team experience.adapt to changes on a boatadapt to changes on a boatAcclimate to a constant change in work and living environments on boats by adapting one's behaviour and perspective on various tasks and responsibilities.communicate using the global maritime distress and safety systemcommunicate using the global maritime distress and safety systemSend an alert in case of distress, using any of the various GMDSS radio systems such that the alert has a very high probability of being received by either shore rescue authorities and/or other vessel...work in shiftswork in shiftsWork in rotating shifts, where the goal is to keep a service or production line running around the clock and each day of the week.relay messages through radio and telephone systemsrelay messages through radio and telephone systemsPossess the communication abilities to relay messages through a radio and telephone system.cope with challenging circumstances in the fishery sectorcope with challenging circumstances in the fishery sectorAdapt to changing circumstances in a positive way and stay calm under stressful situations while performing fishery operations.mark migrating fishmark migrating fishMark migrating fish with a hand-operated branding device using liquid nitrogen.work in a multicultural environment in fisherywork in a multicultural environment in fisheryInteract and communicate with individuals and groups from different cultures and backgrounds in fishery operations.conduct on board safety inspectionsconduct on board safety inspectionsConduct on board safety inspections; identify and remove potential threats to the physical integrity of the ship crew.report to captainreport to captainPerform the responsibilities and tasks for the deckhand, and report information to the master of the vessel or the person in charge.provide radio services in emergenciesprovide radio services in emergenciesProvide radio services in emergencies such as when the ship has to be abandoned, when fire breaks out on board the ship, or when radio installations break down partially or fully. Take preventive meas...support fishery training proceduressupport fishery training proceduresSupport colleagues progress in their line of work by increasing their job specific know-how.assist in maritime rescue operationsassist in maritime rescue operationsProvide assistance during maritime rescue operations.maintain safe engineering watchesmaintain safe engineering watchesObserve principles in keeping an engineering watch. Take over, accept and hand over a watch. Perform routine duties undertaken during a watch. Maintain the machinery space logs and the significance of...perform lookout duties during maritime operationsperform lookout duties during maritime operationsMaintain a watch during maritime operations, in order to anticipate events and potential hazards.maintain vessel safety and emergency equipmentmaintain vessel safety and emergency equipmentMaintain and inspect all safety and emergency equipment such as life jackets, inflatable life rafts, flares, EPIRB, first-aid kits, AED, skiff emergency packs, emergency flashlights, and hand-held rad...operate ship rescue machineryoperate ship rescue machineryOperate rescue boats and survival craft. Launch the boats as required and operate their equipment. Take care of survivors and survival craft after abandoning ship. Use electronic devices to track and ...fisheries managementfisheries managementThe principles, methods and equipment used in population management applied to fisheries: the concept of catch, by-catch, fishing effort, maximum sustainable yield, different sampling methods and how ...use maritime Englishuse maritime EnglishCommunicate in English employing language used in actual situations on board ships, in ports and elsewhere in the shipping chain.
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