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Maritime NZ Marine Engineer Class 5 (MEC 5) Requirements - Seafarer Certifications


Maritime NZ Marine Engineer Class 5 (MEC 5, MEC 5 Steam & MEC 5 Motor and Steam) Certificate of Competency (MNZ SeaCert & STCW) Requirements for New Zealand Seafarers

marine engineer mec5

This information is for new applicants for MNZ certificates of competency for Marine Engineer Class 5 (MEC 5), Marine Engineer Class 5 – Steam (MEC 5 Steam) and Marine Engineer Class 5 – Motor and Steam (MEC 5 Motor and Steam). It does not cover recognition of equivalent certificates obtained outside New Zealand. MEC 5 and MEC 5 motor and steam certificates correspond with a certificate issued under regulation II/5 (chapter 2 regulation 5) of the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel, 1995 (STCW-F)

You can get a MEC 5 certificate for work on board motor or steam ships, or on both. (A motor ship has diesel main propelling machinery.) Your sea service and training must be appropriate for the type of propulsion power, and your certificate will state the type and size of main engine propulsion power you are qualified to operate on.

small vessel mec5


You can get a MEC 5 certificate for work on board motor or steam ships, or on both

MNZ Marine Engineer MEC 5 General Requirements

  • Be medically fit and have good eyesight
  • Good character and a fit and proper person
  • Choose to specialize in motor-powered or steam-powered propulsion systems, or both
  • Meet the requirements for a MEC 6 certificate of competency or equivalent, or complete extra sea service and an acceptable on-board training record book
  • Must meet the minimum sea service requirements
  • Attend and pass a MEC 5 training course
  • Certificates for the required ancillary proficiencies
  • Pass Maritime NZ’s final exam

MNZ Marine Engineer MEC 5 Requirements

MNZ Marine Engineer MEC 5 Prior Certification Requirements

  • Depending on the option you select, you must either hold or have completed the requirements for a MEC 6 certificate of competency or equivalent, or have completed other relevant training or an on-board training record book, or have engineering experience

MNZ Marine Engineer MEC 5 Sea Service Requirements

  • For each of the certificates, the required sea service must have been gained on vessels with main propulsion machinery of 100kW or more in the 10 years immediately before your certificate is issued. If a training record book is required, it must have been completed within the previous five years.

Marine Engineer MEC 5

mnz mec5 sea service
Table: Maritime NZ Marine Engineer MEC 5 Sea Service Requirements - Credits: MNZ

Marine Engineer MEC 5 Steam

mnz mec5 steam sea service
Table: Maritime NZ Marine Engineer MEC 5 Steam Sea Service Requirements  - Credits: MNZ

  • MEC 5 Steam notes: Examples of shore-based engineering training for Options 3 and 4 above are an apprenticeship as a fitter/turner or heavy diesel mechanic, or an equivalent National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering. Training in other engineering fields, such as chemical or Electrical engineering, is not acceptable. The total time required for any of the options for MEC 5 Steam is reduced by three months if you successfully complete an approved training record book while working on board a steam ship during the five years before you apply

Marine Engineer MEC 5 Motor and Steam

mnz mec5 motor steam sea service
Table: Maritime NZ Marine Engineer MEC 5 Motor & Steam Sea Service Requirements - Credits: MNZ

MNZ Marine Engineer MEC 5 Training and Exam Requirements

  • You must complete training approved by the Director of Maritime NZ. This training must meet the competencies for the MEC 5 certificate you have selected. The approved training for MEC 5 is the New Zealand Certificate in Marine Engineering Class 6 (Level 4) with a strand in Marine Engineering Class 5 - 90 credits.
  • You must pass a final examination (currently an oral examination) by a Maritime NZ-approved examiner.

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MNZ Marine Engineer MEC 5 Ancillary Certificates 

mnz mec5 ancillary certificates
Table: Maritime NZ Marine Engineer Class 4 (MEC4) Ancillary Certificate Requirements - Credits: MNZ

Disclaimer: For general information purpose - please check with Maritime NZ for the latest requirements and accurate info