New Zealand Diploma in Nautical Science (Level 6)

Summary

Programme highlights

Develop your skills to become a watchkeeper (officer of the watch) on seagoing ships.

This programme is for you if:

• You are a new trainee entering the industry and need to complete your training before you commence your job at sea. You will need to complete the 17 week New Zealand Certificate in Maritime Crewing (Level 4) Deck Crew strand before progressing into this programme; or
• You are in the industry, training to become a watchkeeper on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more, operating in unlimited waters.

This programme can be completed full-time, or in short blocks in between periods at sea.

Learn the skills and knowledge to complete all the duties required of a watchkeeper deck (officer in charge of a navigational watch) onboard seagoing ships. You’ll work directly under the Chief Mate or Master and have a very high level of responsibility for the safety of the vessel.

You will learn to manage the planning of a passage and the maintenance of a safe navigational watch using electronic navigation aids and traditional celestial navigation on a seagoing vessel. You will learn how to manage the cargo and the non-technical maintenance of the vessel at an operational level. You will also learn advanced leadership skills to manage resources and crew onboard, and lead the response to emergencies and distress at sea.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have been advised that you will receive a Recognition of Prior Knowledge and Skills (RPKS) towards your sea time, this will incur a fee of $36 per credit. For more information please visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.

This qualification leads to a Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) certificate. Expand for more detail. You need to complete this qualification including sea time, before applying to MNZ for a:

• Watchkeeper Deck certificate of competency.

There are two options for sea time requirements:

• Option one: 12 months sea time and your MNZ approved Training Record Book (TRB); or
• Option two (already in industry): At least 36 months experience working on a qualifying ship, including at least 6 months as part of the navigation team. For more information on this study option, please contact NZ Maritime School.

Award of the MNZ certificate of competency will also require the completion of:

• Sea service
• MNZ medical fitness certificate
• Eyesight test (including for colour vision)
• Fit and proper person check
• Final exam
• Ancillary certificates.

See maritimenz.govt.nz for all requirements needed before you apply.

Holders of this certificate of competency will have the licence required to work as a watchkeeper deck (officer in charge of a navigational watch) on ships of any gross tonnage under the MNZ SeaCert licencing system. This is an internationally recognised programme, meeting the standards of the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) STCW code (Standard for Training and Certification for Watchkeepers), (regulation II/2).