MV BLUEFIN QUALITY MANUAL - Australian Maritime College

Australian Maritime College
Overview
The Longline equipment is constantly under tension while being deployed and retrieved.
Extreme care is to be taken by all persons involved with the deployment and retrieval of
this equipment.
While shooting and hauling takes place, it is imperative that all participants have a
complete understanding of the risks regarding entanglement and working around high
tension ropes and the risks associated with fish hooks, handling the catch, and the
attachment and disconnection of shark clips.
This activity involves the full complement of ships crew and lecturing staff, and the use of
appropriate PPE.
Following a thorough briefing the ship’s crew members must be prepared to overrule any
practice which they deem to be unsafe, or to the contrary of any recognised procedures.
Weather conditions must be fully assessed before demersal fishing activities are
undertaken.
Equipment used
1. Standby hydraulics must be engaged during the deployment and retrieval long line
equipment.To be engaged by the Engineer for operation.
2. Pot hauler.
3. Hand held VHF Radios.
4. PPE.
5. Emergency knives and meat cleavers.
Procedure
Only qualified ship’s crew may use the hydraulic controls for the shooting and retrieval of
the demersal logline equipment.
Shooting
Stand by hydraulics must be engaged and hauler tested before hauling takes place.
UHF radio communications must be checked.
Shooting the longline involves the deployment of a weighted mainline to which snoods are
attached. In addition to this both ends of the main line have separate lines called float
lines, which are used for the retrieval of the main line.
Once suitable fishing grounds are located and fishing depth known, crew are advised on
the depth so that sufficient length float lines are deployed.
The float lines will have one large pink float to aid in the flotation of the line, one smaller
float with sufficient tail length for grappling, and a Dan pole with a strobe light attached (for
night time operations).
Append 3.9 - Demersal.docx 2 of 4
Revised: November 2010