Maritime NZ Chief Mate Yacht Certificate of Competency (MNZ SeaCert & STCW) Requirements for New Zealand Seafarers
The Chief Mate Yacht (First Officer or Chief Officer) is the second in command of each vessel and is the legally appointed representative of the Yacht Company responsible under existing law for the vessel in the absence of the Master. The Chief Mate Yacht manages the day to day activities of the deck crew and is responsible for representing, enforcing and preserving company interests, policies and procedures to the crew, passengers, clients, contractors and duly authorized authorities as directed by the Master. The first officer is able to support the captain in every aspect of yacht management.
This certificate corresponds with a certificate issued under regulation II/2 of the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW). With this certificate, you can perform the functions and duties of a chief mate on a superyacht of less than 3000 gross tonnage (GT) in any operating area. A superyacht is a commercial yacht or sail training vessel that is 24 meters or more in length, less than 3000 gross tonnes and does not carry Cargo or more than 12 passengers.
The Chief Mate Yacht (First Officer) is the second in command of each vessel and support the captain in every aspect of yacht management
Maritime NZ Chief Mate Yacht General Requirements
- At least 18 years old, Medically fit and have good eyesight
- Good character and a fit and proper person
- Have a minimum certificate of competency as required
- Must have at least six months of sea service in watchkeeping
- Minimum sea service requirements
- Complete and pass an approved training course
- Required ancillary certificates
- Pass MNZ’s final exam
Maritime New Zealand Chief Mate Yacht Requirements
MNZ Chief Mate Yacht Prior Certification Requirements
- For Option 1, you must have a Skipper Restricted Limits (SRL) certificate of competency or equivalent.
- For Option 2, no prior training is needed.
MNZ Chief Mate Yacht Sea Service Requirements
- Option 1: at least 36 months’ sea service (including an approved training record book) while operating in a deck capacity and holding an SRL certificate or equivalent. The sea service must include - six months performing Navigational watchkeeping duties (that is, sea service performing watchkeeping duties as officer in charge of a navigational watch while the vessel is underway on a voyage) under the supervision of a master or deck officer and 12 months on ships of 12 meters length or more operating beyond restricted limits.
- Option 2: at least 24 months’ sea service (including an approved training record book) on board a superyacht while operating in a deck capacity.
- The sea service must include - at least 500 days of actual sea service, including six months performing navigational watchkeeping duties (that is, sea service performing watchkeeping duties as officer in charge of a navigational watch while the vessel is underway on a voyage) under the supervision of a master or deck officer and at least 230 days of any combination of actual sea service (which may include time at anchor, or river and canal transits associated with the passage), plus stand-by service or yard service, provided that: o standby service (that is, time moored while fully provisioned ready to proceed safely to sea.
MNZ Chief Mate Yacht Training and Exam Requirements
- You must complete a Chief Mate Yacht or equivalent training course that is acceptable to the Director of MNZ to achieve all of the required competencies, as set out in section A-II/1 and section A-II/2 of the STCW Convention.
- You must pass a final exam to show you have met the standards of competency for this certificate.
Training Record Book
- For both Options 1 and 2, you must complete an approved training record book (available from your training provider) as part of your sea service. Your training record book will be assessed by your training provider. You must provide the original of your training record book to an MNZ-approved Maritime Examiner before you take your final exam.
MNZ Chief Mate Yacht Ancillary Certificates
Table: Maritime NZ Chief Mate Yacht Ancillary Certificate Requirements - Credits: MNZ
Disclaimer: For general information purpose - please check with Maritime NZ for the latest requirements and accurate info