Sanford
Marine Engineers - Deepwater Fishing Vessels
Tasman, New Zealand
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 Marine Engineer with Sanford, you will have the opportunity to work aboard one of our vessels - including scampi, trawlers, and longliners - where you will be responsible for managing and maintaining the mechanical and electrical performance of the vessel's engineering systems. You'll work closely with the Skipper and wider crew to deliver safe, efficient operations while helping produce quality New Zealand seafood.
Our vessels operate from ports including Timaru and Tauranga and across New Zealand waters, with a strong, values-led culture where people are considered our most important asset. This is an Independent Contractor role, working on a 6 weeks on - 6 weeks off rotation.
Sanford covers the cost of your travel to get to the vessel and home again each journey.
Responsibilities:
* Ensure optimal functioning of all marine engineering systems, including diesel-electric propulsion and electric trawl winches, through regular maintenance and repair.
* Troubleshoot, identify, and resolve technical issues promptly to ensure smooth operations throughout fishing voyages.
* Work proactively to maximise fuel efficiency and reduce the vessel's environmental impact.
* Maintain and enforce health and safety protocols, ensuring all engineering systems are routinely inspected and compliant with maritime safety regulations.
About you:
* Hold a Minimum MEC 5 or MEC 4 Certificate of Competency (or equivalent).
* Proficient in marine engineering systems with preferred experience in diesel-electric propulsion and trawl winch operations.
* Demonstrated experience in maintaining and repairing marine vessels, including ammonia or refrigerant-based freezing systems.
* Good understanding of New Zealand maritime and operational regulations including MOSS, HSWA, Fisheries Act, and MPI food safety.
* Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to perform effectively in isolated and challenging sea-based environments.
About the fleet:
Sanford operates a diverse fleet of deepwater and scampi vessels, delivering premium seafood to international markets.
Our deepwater fleet includes six vessels—San Waitaki, San Enterprise, San Discovery, San Granit, San Aspiring, and San Aotea II—primarily operating in the Southern Ocean on voyages lasting up to six to eight weeks. These vessels target species such as hoki, orange roughy, squid, ling, and Antarctic toothfish. Our vessels are highly versatile, processing and freezing products onboard to export standards, including H&G, fillets, squid tubes, fishmeal, and fish oil.
Sanford also operates a scampi fleet of seven smaller deep-sea trawlers—Albatross II, Drysdale, Venture K, San Tangaroa, San Aramand, San Tongariro and San Koura Rangi. These vessels target scampi across New Zealand waters, freezing and packing product at sea before delivery to Bluff, Timaru, or direct export from Tauranga.
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.
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