6 Years
in the fishing industry
“I found fishing when I was 22 and it turned out to be one of the greatest things I’ve ever done”
Elliot Underwood
Engineer | Southern Ocean Fleet
How did you start working in the fishing industry?
“I was 22, needed money, and saw there were jobs going in the Northern Prawn Fishery. I started as a deckhand on a prawn trawler for Austral, and became
really interested in how the boats work.
I was always interested in science and learning how things work so I suppose the engineering is a follow up from that.
It’s always good to learn the process of what goes on behind the scenes.
Life in the Southern Ocean
“I work directly with the other engineers on the boat. Daily tasks include walking around and taking daily temperature readings, gauging the operation of the equipment on board to make sure everything is working as per usual, and if anything is not working as it should be we might perform some maintenance.
It’s a very hands-on job working with the chief engineer and the first engineer. It’s a very dynamic job. No two days are ever the same and we’ve always got different jobs to do. When things do break down as they inevitably do, you tend to find that you’re always learning something in the process of fixing it.”
“Be brave and give it a go! The old saying that it builds character is definitely true. Never be too firm in your beliefs – getting pressure by friends, family and the education system into getting a degree or trade and licking yourself into a career doesn’t have to be the only way forward.”
Elliot’s Tickets & Qualifications
- Engineer Class 3
- STCW-95
- First Aid