Level 6

(Also known as Officer of the Watch (OOW) or 2nd mates ticket)

Study towards the Watchkeeper Deck certificate of competency

Learn the skills and knowledge needed to start a career at sea as a watchkeeper deck officer in charge of a navigational watch.
Overview

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.

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:

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).

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

General

  • Students intending to pursue a seagoing career must produce evidence of having met the medical and eyesight standards currently in force by Maritime New Zealand. These are statutory requirements for working on ships.

AND

  • Completed the academic component of the New Zealand Certificate in Maritime Crewing - Able Seafarer Deck strand (L4) (NZ2511-01)

OR

  • Provide evidence of sea service required for the Watchkeeper certificate of competency as per STCW code

Academic

Applicants must meet the following criteria for admission into the programme


Applicants with no seagoing experience:

  • 14 credits in either Mathematics (calculus, algebra or equivalent) and/or Physics

English Language entry requirements

Applicants must have sufficient competence in the English language to undertake this programme which is taught and assessed in English.

International students: English Language Entry Requirements

For the minimum English language requirements refer to the requirements set out in the NZQF Programme and Accreditation Rules: https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/qa-system-for-teos/english-internationalstudents

Note: For this programme this means applicants whose first language is not English may be required to provide evidence of IELTS (Academic) band score of 6.0 or no band lower than 5.5.

Special & discretionary admission

Any ākonga who is 20 years of age or older and has not reached the general admission requirements for their intended programme is eligible for Special Admission. Te Pūkenga works with the ākonga to ensure they are prepared for their intended programme. Any ākonga who is not yet 20 years of age and has not reached the general admission requirements for their intended programme may be eligible for Discretionary Admission. In assessing whether to grant Discretionary Admission, the delegated authority focuses on the applicant’s level of preparedness for their intended programme.

Need IELTS?

Book your British Council IELTS test with us.

You will complete your test in one day, plus get free online tuition to help you succeed. We offer paper-based or computer-delivered IELTS. Choose computer-delivered IELTS and get your results in 3-5 days.

Give yourself credit with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Did you know you can use the knowledge and experience you already have to your advantage?

Your previous work experience and on-the-job skills, volunteering, professional development, and other providers’ qualifications can be recognised as prior learning, matched against credits in our courses, and put towards your qualification – potentially saving you money and possibly helping you to complete your qualification faster Learn more.

Programme structure

Programme structure

946.503 MSA Safety Oral (17 credits)

This course is to prepare students to take the MNZ oral examination for Watchkeeper or Second Mate of a Foreign-Going Ship.

Level 6

942.614 Advanced Fire Fighting (6 credits)

Take charge of fire-fighting and damage control activity.

Do you want to study a single course, without enrolling into the full programme?

Courses within some of our programmes may be offered as an individual Certificate of Proficiency (COP). Programme entry requirements and course fees apply. For more information, please speak to our friendly Ask Me! team.