Fisheries Deckhand Drivers & Mobile Plant Operators
SaveWhat Does a Fisheries Deckhand Do?
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.
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Where Do I Start?
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.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Fisheries Deckhand
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialQuality Of Fish Products knowledge
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.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialPollution Prevention knowledge
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.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialInternational Regulations For Preventing Collisions At Sea knowledge
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 …
Recommended Books
3 booksNavigation Rules and Regulations Handbook -
EssentialInternational Convention For The Prevention Of Pollution From Ships knowledge
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 …
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EssentialDeterioration Of Fish Products knowledge
Process of decomposition and spoilage of fish products: physical, enzymatic, microbiological and chemical processes occurring after harvesting.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialFire-fighting Systems knowledge
The devices and systems used to extinguish fires; the classes and chemistry of fire.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialFisheries Legislation knowledge
The study and analysis of different fisheries management approaches taking into account international treaties and industry norms in order to analyze fisheries management regulations.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialFishing Gear knowledge
Identification of the different gear used in capture fisheries and their functional capacity.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialHealth And Safety Regulations knowledge
Necessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialFishing Vessels knowledge
Denomination of the different elements and equipment of fishing vessels.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialCode Of Conduct For Responsible Fisheries knowledge
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the guidelines established for professional fishers.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialQuality Assurance Methodologies knowledge
Quality assurance principles, standard requirements, and the set of processes and activities used for measuring, controlling and ensuring the quality of products and processes.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialRisks Associated With Undertaking Fishing Operations knowledge
General risks occuring when working on fishing boats and specific risks occurring only in some fishing modalities. Prevention of threats and accidents.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialExtinguish Fires skill
Choose the adequate substances and methods to extinguish fires depending on their size, such as water and various chemical agents. Use a breathing apparatus.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Verbal Instructions skill
Have the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Work Procedures skill
Adhere to procedures at work in a structured and systematic manner.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Written Instructions skill
Follow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMoor Vessels skill
Follow standard procedures to moor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPreserve Fish Products skill
Place and classify fish products for proper conservation. Maintain suitable conditions for the conservation of fishery products.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSurvive At Sea In The Event Of Ship Abandonment skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSwim skill
Move through water by means of the limbs.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUnmoor Vessels skill
Follow standard procedures to unmoor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork In Outdoor Conditions skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssist Anchoring Operations skill
Assist during anchoring operations; operate equipment and assist in anchor manoeuvres.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssist In Ship Maintenance skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssist With Emergencies skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Hygienic Practices In Fishery Operations skill
Comply with the right regulations and practices for hygienically handling fishery related tasks and responsibilities in fishery operations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialHandle Cargo skill
Manage safely the mechanical elements in the loading and unloading of cargo and stores. Stowing and unstowing of products following instructions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialHandle Fish Products skill
Handle fish with care and hygiene required to maintain quality. Adequately prepare fish products for storage.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain Safe Navigation Watches skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Echo Sounding Equipment skill
Operate technological equipment to measure the ocean's depth. Calculate and interpret results, and communicate them to management.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Ship Equipment skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Deck Equipment skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Lifeboats skill
Prepare lifeboats in ships before departure, ensure full functionality in case of emergency, follow regulatory instructions for lifesaving boats.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSecure Ships Using Rope skill
Use rope to secure and untie the ship before departure or upon arrival.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSupport Vessel Manoeuvres skill
Participate in manoeuvres at port: berthing, anchoring and other mooring operations. Contribute to a safe navigational watch.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Fishing Vessel Equipment skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWash Decks Of Ships skill
Clean the ship's deck by sweeping and washing it thoroughly. Remove superfluous salt and water to avoid oxidation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 27 displayed)
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OptionalAssessment Of Risks And Threats knowledge
The security documentation and any security-related communications and information.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalFish Anatomy knowledge
The study of the form or morphology of fish species.
Recommended Books
3 books -
OptionalFisheries Management knowledge
The 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 to use sampling …
Recommended Books
2 books -
OptionalMaritime Meteorology knowledge
The scientific field of study that interprets meteorological information and applies it to ensure the safety of marine traffic.
Recommended Books
1 bookThe Seaman's Handbook of Meteorology -
OptionalTypes Of Maritime Vessels knowledge
Know a large variety of maritime vessels and their characteristics and specifications. Use that knowledge to ensure that all security, technical, and maintenance measures are taken into account in their …
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalGlobal Maritime Distress And Safety System knowledge
The 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.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalCommunicate Using The Global Maritime Distress And Safety System skill
Send 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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Safe Engineering Watches skill
Observe 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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRelay Messages Through Radio And Telephone Systems skill
Possess the communication abilities to relay messages through a radio and telephone system.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Maritime English language skill
Communicate in English employing language used in actual situations on board ships, in ports and elsewhere in the shipping chain.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWork In Shifts skill
Work in rotating shifts, where the goal is to keep a service or production line running around the clock and each day of the week.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAdapt To Changes On A Boat skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAssist In Maritime Rescue Operations skill
Provide assistance during maritime rescue operations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalConduct On Board Safety Inspections skill
Conduct on board safety inspections; identify and remove potential threats to the physical integrity of the ship crew.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCope With Challenging Circumstances In The Fishery Sector skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Vessel Safety And Emergency Equipment skill
Maintain 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 radios. Ensure that …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Engine-room Resources skill
Allocate, assign, and prioritise engine-room resources. Communicate effectively, showing assertiveness and leadership. Obtain and maintain situational awareness, considering of team experience.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Ship Rescue Machinery skill
Operate 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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Traditional Water Depth Measurement Equipment skill
Operate 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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Lookout Duties During Maritime Operations skill
Maintain a watch during maritime operations, in order to anticipate events and potential hazards.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProvide Radio Services In Emergencies skill
Provide 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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalReport To Captain skill
Perform the full array of responsibilities and tasks for the deckhand, and report information regarding this orally to the master of the vessel and or the mate in the other …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSupport Fishery Training Procedures skill
Support colleagues progress in their line of work by increasing their job specific know-how.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUndertake Continuous Professional Development In Fishery Operations skill
Initiate and progress in life long learning of the different challenging activities and operations which take place on board of a fishing vessel or in an aquaculture facility.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Radar Navigation skill
Operate modern radar navigation equipment to ensure safe vessel operations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWork In A Fishery Team skill
Work as part of a crew or team, and meet team deadlines and responsibilities together.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWork In A Multicultural Environment In Fishery skill
Interact and communicate with individuals and groups from different cultures and backgrounds in fishery operations.
Course recommendations coming soon.