A Guide to Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) Seafarer Certificate of Competency Requirements for NZ and Non-NZ Seafarers
Established in 1983 and headquartered in Wellington,Maritime NZ (MNZ) is theNew Zealand national regulatory, compliance and response agency for the safety,Security and environmental protection of coastal and inland waterways. The regulatory and compliance programs include, licensing and certifying seafarers and commercial operations, educating the maritime community, auditing operators and service providers such as ship surveyors, investigating incidents to try to stop them happening again, and enforcing the regulations to hold people to account for their actions.
Maritime NZ supports people by providing guidance and advice about Seafarer Certifications (SeaCert). SeaCert is the seafarer licensing framework for national and international certificates of competency and proficiency and endorsements. As well as helping learners to get certified, the agency also works with and regulates training providers and examiners. Apart from this Maritime NZ also promote safe recreational boating on the water including sea, river or lake.
How to Obtain a New Zealand Sea Certification (SeaCert)?
Maritime NZ is the only New Zealand Administration able to certify New Zealand seafarer certificates. Seafarers must ensure that a valid certification from Maritime NZ is held to work in merchant navy vessels, yachts, sail training vessels, workboats and tugs. The applicants must apply directly yo the Maritime NZ meeting the following criteria:
- Medically fit and have good eyesight
- Good character and afit and proper person
- Meet the minimumsea service requirements
- Complete and pass anapproved training course
- Have the requiredancillary certificates
- PassMNZ’s final exam
How to Obtain Recognition of Foreign Certificates?
Certificates from Countries Other thanAustralia
- To work on a New Zealand-flagged ship, you will need to have your certificate recognized by MNZ as an equivalent to a New Zealand certificate or endorsement. Whether we can recognize your certificate will depend on the type of certificate you hold and where it was issued. New Zealand recognition cannot grant you privileges that are greater than those of your original certificate.
- When processing applications for New Zealand certificates of competency or proficiency, MNZ will assessSTCW ancillary certificates issued by other administrations on a case-by-case basis.
- STCW ancillary certificates issued by training providers approved by the AustralianMaritime Safety Authority (AMSA) or by the United Kingdom Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have been assessed and are accepted automatically.
- To obtain the MNZ certificate you need to apply to MNZ with all supporting documents with prescribed fee.
Certificates from Australia
- Due to differences between the Australian and New Zealand seafarer certification frameworks it may not be possible to match the exact privileges of your Australian domestic certificate, and a New Zealand recognition cannot grant privileges that are greater than those of your original certificate
- Corresponding New Zealand certificates, providing the closest match to your Australian certificate, can be found in the Australia-New Zealand seafarer certificate conversion tables at the MNZ website.
- To obtain the MNZ certificate you need to apply to MNZ with all supporting documents with prescribed fee.
Maritime NZ SeaCert Requirements
Requirements for Masters and Deck Officers
Requirements for Marine Engineers
- Electro-technical Officer (ETO)
- Chief Engineer - Marine Engineer Class 1 (MEC 1)
- Second Engineer (Marine Engineer - MEC 2, MEC 2 <3000kW & MEC 2 ECE)
- OICEW - Marine Engineer Class 3 (MEC 3)
- Marine Engineer Class 4 (MEC 4)
- Marine Engineer Class 5 (MEC 5)
- Marine Engineer Class 6 (MEC 6)
Requirements for Ratings
- Able Seafarer Deck (AB Deck)
- Able Seafarer Engine (AB Engine)
- Deck Watch Rating (DWR)
- Electro-Technical Rating (ETR)
- Engine Room Watch Rating (EWR)
- Integrated Rating (IR)
- Qualified Deck Crew (QDC)
Endorsements and Other Certificates
LAST UPDATED ON Sep 20, 2018
