Maritime NZ Master Yacht Certificate of Competency (MNZ SeaCert and STCW) Requirements for New Zealand Seafarers
A Yacht Captain or Master is a highly qualified and professional skipper who specializes in commanding and managing yachts of various sizes including superyachts. All crew onboard will answer to either him or her. As a Yacht Master, fully responsibility for the crew and the guests and must be familiar with overall safety codes and the safety training of crew.
A Captain of a superyacht must be in control of budgeting, IT and administration including dealing with authorities and administrations.The role really will be all encompassing and a master will answer to the yacht’s owner about all the decisions he/she makes. These guidelines are for new applicants for the Master Yacht certificate of competency of appropriate tonnages. It does not cover recognition of an equivalent certificate obtained outside New Zealand.
These certificates (except Master <24m) correspond 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). Maritime NZ (MNZ) Master Yacht certificates are valid for five years.
- MNZ Master Yacht General Requirements
- MNZ Master Yacht Unlimited Requirements
- MNZ Master Yacht <24m Requirements
- MNZ Master Yacht <500GT Requirements
A Yacht Captain or Master is a highly qualified and professional skipper who specializes in commanding and managing yachts of various sizes including superyachts
Maritime NZ Master Yacht General Requirements
- Medically fit and have good eyesight
- Good character and a fit and proper person
- Have a certificate of competency as required
- Minimum sea service requirements
- Complete and pass an approved training course
- Required ancillary certificates
- Pass MNZ’s final exam
Maritime New Zealand Master Yacht Unlimited Requirements
- With this certificate, you can perform the functions and duties of master 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 3000GT and does not carry Cargo or more than 12 passengers. This is the highest-level command certificate for superyachts. To command vessels of 3000GT or more, you must obtain a Master certificate of competency.
MNZ Master Yacht Prior Certification Requirements
- You must have a Chief Mate Yacht certificate of competency or equivalent (Option 1) OR
- A Master Yacht less than 500GT certificate will be treated as equivalent (Option 2).
MNZ Master Yacht Sea Service Requirements
- Option 1: at least 24 months’ sea service on a superyacht (on-board yacht service) while holding a Chief Mate Yacht certificate or equivalent. The sea service must include - at least 240 days of watchkeeping service (performing watchkeeping duties as officer in charge of a Navigational watch while the vessel is underway on a voyage), and 24 months’ service in a deck officer capacity, including 12 months on a vessel of 24m or more or 80GT or more o or six months on a ship of 500GT or more.
- Option 2: at least 12 months’ sea service on a superyacht (on-board yacht service) while holding a Master Yacht less than 500GT certificate or equivalent. The sea service must include - at least 120 days of watchkeeping service (performing watchkeeping duties as officer in charge of a navigational watch while the vessel is underway on a voyage), and at least 12 months’ service in a deck officer capacity, including six months on a vessel of 24m or more or 80GT or more o or three months on a ship of 500GT or more.
MNZ Master Yacht Training and Exam Requirements
- You must complete a Master Yacht training course or equivalent that is acceptable to the Director of MNZ to achieve all of the required competencies, as set out in section A-II/2 of the STCW Convention.
- The final examination is currently an oral examination by an MNZ-approved Maritime Examiner, which is usually arranged by your training provider. Your results will be sent to MNZ.
MNZ Master Yacht Ancillary Certificates
Table: Maritime NZ Master Master Yacht Ancillary Certificate Requirements - Credits: MNZ
Maritime NZ Master Yacht Less Than 24 meters (Master Yacht <24m) Requirements
- This certificate is only for sail-powered vessels. It does not apply to power-driven craft. With this certificate, you can perform a master’s functions and duties within restricted, coastal and offshore limits on sailing ships of less than 24m carrying 12 or fewer passengers. You must have a passenger endorsement if the ship is carrying more than 12 passengers, and a square-rigged endorsement if operating a square-rigged ship.
- Age: 18 years
MNZ Master Yacht <24m Prior Certification Requirements
- You must hold the RYA yachtmaster offshore certificate or equivalent. Note that the training for this certificate covers the sea service component for the Master Yacht.
MNZ Master Yacht <24m Sea Service Requirements
- You must complete at least 50 days’ approved sea service on a sailing ship that includes - total voyages of at least 2500 nautical miles, at least five passages of at least 60 nautical miles, including two overnight passages and two passages acting as skipper
- Your service may be gained on a pleasure craft, but only if you were acting in the capacity of skipper.
- All of your sea service must have been completed in the 10 years immediately before you apply for the certificate.
MNZ Master Yacht <24m Training and Exam Requirements
- The Basic Training for Master Yacht <24m is covered by the RYA yachtmaster offshore certificate you are required to have.
MNZ Master Yacht <24m Ancillary Certificates
Table: Maritime NZ Master Yacht <24m Ancillary Certificate Requirements - Credits: MNZ
Maritime NZ Master Yacht Less Than 500 Gross Tonnes (Master Yacht <500GT) Requirements
- 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 master on a superyacht of less than 500 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 3000GT and does not carry cargo or more than 12 passengers.
MNZ Master Yacht <500GT Prior Certification Requirements
- You must have a Chief Mate Yacht certificate of competency or equivalent.
MNZ Master Yacht <500GT Sea Service Requirements
- Complete at least 12 months’ sea service on board a superyacht (on-board yacht service) in a deck officer capacity while holding a Chief Mate Yacht certificate or equivalent and
- Complete at least 120 days of watchkeeping as part of this sea service (performing watchkeeping duties as officer in charge of a navigational watch while the vessel is underway on a voyage).
MNZ Master Yacht <500GT Training and Exam Requirements
- You must complete a Master Yacht < 500GT 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/2 of the STCW Convention
- You must pass a final exam to show you have met the standards of competency for this certificate
MNZ Master Yacht <500GT Ancillary Certificates
Table: Maritime NZ Master Yacht <500GT Ancillary Certificate Requirements - Credits: MNZ
Disclaimer: For general information purpose - please check with Maritime NZ for the latest requirements and accurate info