Title FV Ocean Dawn Bosun

Sealord Group Ltd; Nelson; On-site; NZD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retainer + bonus

Job summary

Sealord Group Ltd invites applications for the FV Ocean Dawn Bosun role. Based in Nelson, NZ, you will lead the deck crew on a deep-sea fishing trawler, ensuring safety, efficiency, and adherence to best practices while delivering quality seafood operations.

You will manage 8- to 12-hour shifts, develop the deck team, and work closely with the Skipper and crew of 45 to uphold the Sealord standard of excellence at sea.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year deck experience on a deep-sea fishing trawler.
• Current deck hand certificate.
• Ability to lead a motivated deck crew.
• Strong safety focus and seamanship.

Responsibilities

• Lead deck crew and ensure safe, efficient vessel operations.
• Develop and communicate vision for the deck team to drive engagement.
• Maintain high standards of safety, procedures and compliance.
• Collaborate with the Skipper and mates to achieve performance goals.

Skills

Deck operations

Safety leadership

Crew supervision

Education

Deck hand certificate

Job description

FV Ocean Dawn Bosun

Date: 17 Aug 2026

Location: NZ

Company: Sealord Group Ltd

Sealord is the largest seafood companies in the Southern Hemisphere. And with more than 60 years of fishing experience, farming, processing, and marketing operations, our business consistently delivers quality seafood to our customers around the world.

Established in 1961, Nelson Sealord is half owned by the Māori people of New Zealand, through Moana New Zealand (Aotearoa Fisheries Ltd), and half owned by global seafood company Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd (Nissui). Sealord is one of the largest quota holders in New Zealand with partners and subsidiaries around the world through Nissui’s global links. Sealord Group has fishing operations, which include all deep-water fishing activities as well as international and joint venture deep fishing activities, in New Zealand and Australia.

The FV Ocean Dawn Bosun role is a pivotal role on the vessel ensuring the smooth operation of the deck crew. You will develop and foster customer focus from all deck crew, develop and communicate the vision for deck crew that creates engaged employees operating to best practices and who's value is safety first

• Nelson Based
• 5-6 weeks trip on/ 5-6 weeks trip off - paid / retainer + bonus
• This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Fisher B or Fisher A who is looking to take the next step in their career development. You will require a minimum of one years' experience working on deck, onboard a deep sea fishing trawler + hold a current deck hand certificate.
• You will receive ongoing career development and support from your Skipper, Mates and crew of 45.
• Are you ready to step up and lead and develope a motivated, engaged, high performing team aligned to the overall direction of Sealord?

Currently, we’re looking to add to our team of 1,200 employees, and have opportunities for a Bosun onboard FV Ocean Dawn. Passionate about the sea, fishing, and developing your career in the industry, including gaining qualifications while you work …then this opportunity is not to be missed!

The hours of work are generally done in shifts of 8 hours on and 8 hours off, PPE is supplied, and all meals provided by our experienced cooks.

If this sounds like the right job for you, then impress us with your positive can-do attitude, teamwork, safety focus, and the ability to follow instructions and rules. While out on the water, resilience is a life skill that is critical, as is respect for each other and the environment. Being committed to your team and tasks is imperative for the whole crew to be successful.

Being at sea is a way of life, unique and exhilarating! This is a lifetime opportunity with a company committed to its people and their training and development to help you fulfil your potential; offering stability and a great work-life balance.

A satisfactory pre-employment drug test and a physical medical assessment will be required to be considered for this role. Applicants must have legal entitlement to live and work in New Zealand. As this is a permanent role you must reside in New Zealand on a permanent basis.