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NZ Offshore Watchkeeper (NZOW)

Maritime & Seafood graduate, John Monaghan
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Want to get qualified to work as a master on a commercial fishing vessel (under 20 meters) in coastal waters or as a mate on commercial vessels in coastal waters and offshore? Get prepared for Maritime New Zealand's (MNZ) New Zealand Offshore Watchkeeper’s Certificate.

Get prepared for Maritime New Zealand's (MNZ) written assessments and oral examination for the New Zealand Offshore Watchkeeper’s Certificate with our NZOW programme.

Classes are scheduled Monday to Friday, 8-4pm.

Content Details

The programme includes the following courses:

  • Coastal navigation - 3 weeks, 28 May - 15 June
  • Meteorology - 1 week, 18 - 22 June
  • Passage planning - 1 week, 25 - 29 June
  • Oral syllabus, tutorial, resits and examinations - 4 weeks, 6 - 31 August

If you are not enrolling in the complete NZOW programme and instead in specific courses only, please indicate this on your Enrolment Form.

This course includes two weeks that will allow you to complete some other ancillary requirements. If you already have radar, basic fire fighting, and sea survival craft you may only need to attend until 17 August. Please note that there are additional fees for any ancillary courses.

Entry

Examination Requirements

Sea-time
You must provide evidence of having completed:

  • Twenty four months total sea service of which at least 12 months must have been gained in the last 10 years
  • AND Six of the 24 months must be obtained 'beyond restricted limits' on power-driven vessels of over 10 metres or more in length
  • AND Eighteen months of sea service whilst holding a Local Launch Operator certificate, but the course must have been to an Inshore Launchmaster standard
  • OR Twelve months sea service in a deck capacity whilst holding an Advanced Deckhand Certificate
  • OR Served not less than six months sea service in a deck capacity whilst holding an Inshore Launchmaster Certificate.

For full details of sea service requirements refer to the MNZ website www.maritimenz.govt.nz

Minimum Age
18 years

Testimonials
A testimonial of character, ability and sobriety, covering at least the past 12 months is to be sent to MNZ with your application.

Eyesight
You must pass the MNZ prescribed eyesight test by an MNZ approved Optometrist, before examination.

Medical Fitness
Provide evidence that you comply with any medical fitness requirement.

Record Book
MNZ require a Record Book to be completed and handed in at the time of NZOM examinations. If you wish to be issued with a Record Book, please indicate this on your Enrolment Form.

Other Requirements

  • Valid Comprehensive First Aid Certificate
  • Maritime Restricted Operator’s Certificate
  • Restricted Radar Observer’s Certificate
  • Competence in Fire Prevention and Firefighting Certificate (STCW)
  • Survival craft course attendance certificate or equivalent (STCW)

We offer, or can arrange for you to attend, the courses listed above to enable you to fulfil MNZ requirements.

Indicative Fees

  • $1,432 incl. course related costs
  • For individual course fees, see brochure

The standard published fee is applicable for New Zealand citizens and permanent residents only.

An international fee is payable for non New Zealand citizens/permanent residents.

Qualifications Gained

Upon successful completion of the programme and meeting examination requirements, you will receive from MNZ:

  • NZ Offshore Watchkeeper Certificate of Competency