Marine Deck Crew

South Port is New Zealand’s southernmost commercial deep-water port, delivering a full range of marine services including tug, pilotage and dredging operations. We operate 24/7, supporting international and coastal vessels, including the southern fishing fleet.

Marine Operations

As part of our operational, business development and succession planning, we’re expanding our marine crew with additional deckhand roles designed to strengthen safety, build capability and develop future marine talent.

This is a great opportunity for someone with practical marine, mechanical, trade or operational experience who wants to develop their career in the maritime industry. You’ll gain hands-on experience across South Port’s marine fleet, receive structured on-job training, and be supported to work towards or build on existing seafarer qualifications.

You’ll be part of the team that keeps our vessels safe, ready and operational. The work is practical, varied and important, ranging from line handling and deck duties through to pilot transfer support, vessel upkeep, safety checks and routine maintenance.

Roles may be based primarily within either our pilot launch or harbour tug operations, with occasional cross-over depending on operational requirements:

• Harbour tugs: line handling, towing hook operations, assisting with towage activities, and supporting the safe movement and securing of vessels during berthing and unberthing.
• Pilot launches: supporting safe pilot transfers at sea, maintaining watchkeeping awareness, and contributing to rapid response capability.
• Vessel upkeep: completing general deck maintenance, cleaning, painting, pre-departure checks and other tasks that help keep vessels safe, clean and ready for service.
• Engine room assistance: working alongside engineering staff to assist with routine maintenance, fluid checks, filter changes and machinery monitoring.

Training and development

After an initial orientation and familiarisation period, you’ll begin practical on-job training while working alongside experienced marine crew and developing the skills required to operate safely and effectively within South Port’s marine fleet.

Over the first 12–24 months, the focus will be on building strong deckhand capability and broad operational experience. As your skills, qualifications and experience grow, there may be scope to continue training and expand your role across other areas of the marine operation, subject to business needs.

Comprehensive training includes:

• Mooring and line handling operations including support for dockside operations as required.
• General deck duties to support vessel safety and functionality.
• Routine maintenance of vessel equipment.
• Safety and security drills, safe operating procedures and maritime safety protocols.

What we’re looking for

You don’t need to have every skill on day one, but you will need to be practical, reliable, safety-focused and keen to learn. We’re looking for people with the commitment, aptitude and work ethic to continue developing their skills and build a long-term marine career with South Port.

Experience or capability we would value includes:

• Boating, marine or vessel-handling experience.
• Mechanical aptitude or an interest in engines and maintenance.
• Practical hands-on experience from a trade, farming, fishing, engineering or operational background.
• Strong awareness of safety and the ability to follow procedures.
• Confidence working around vessels, lines, equipment, and changing weather and sea conditions.
• A positive attitude, willingness to learn, and ability to work well as part of a team.
• Candidates who hold maritime qualifications such as QDC, SRL, MEC 6 qualifications will be highly regarded.

What we offer

• A genuine career pathway with structured on-job training and support to gain recognised seafarer qualifications.
• Hands-on experience across harbour tugs, pilot launches and a diverse range of marine operations.
• A varied and rewarding role in a 24/7 operational port environment.
• The chance to be part of a successful, dynamic port company.

About you

You’ll need to be physically fit, agile and comfortable working in a hands-on marine environment. The role involves working around vessels, lines, equipment, machinery, so you need to be a positive, energetic and safety-focused. And it goes without saying, you also need to be comfortable working on the water in changing sea and weather conditions!

Apply now to start your career at South Port!

If you're keen to build a future in the port industry, we’d love to hear from you.

While the port industry has traditionally been male-dominated, times are changing. We encourage applications from women who are interested in starting or developing a career in marine operations.