Operating from Shadbolt House, the company's Lyttelton office, the Fleet Department of Independent Fisheries Limited is directly responsible for the management of the fishing fleet, which is based at the Port. Independent 1, the company's factory freezer trawler, and a fleet of charter vessels under joint partnership agreements with the company, are managed by the Fleet Department.
The Polish vessel, along with Independent 1, produce frozen-at-sea fillet and the two Ukrainian deep-sea factory vessels provide a valuable and necessary supply of headed and gutted frozen-at-sea fish.
The fleet department sets and maintains standards for all frozen-at-sea fish by employing a team of experienced quality controllers who specialise in processing and production checks. Product is further inspected after unloading and detailed reports are prepared for study by company personnel. Vessel operations at sea are also carefully monitored to ensure compliance with New Zealand fisheries laws and regulations.
The Lyttelton based fishing fleet's operations are totally controlled by the Fleet Department. Communications are maintained via satellite and HF frequencies, fuelling and packaging is organised and official reporting and documentation is the department's responsibility.
Port calls can entail dry docking, engineering repairs and regular maintenance. Experienced tradespeople and engineers are contracted to assist with these necessary functions. Provisioning, technical stores and agency coverage are provided in conjunction with Independent Provedoring Limited.
