New Zealand Diploma in Nautical Science (Level 6)

Study towards the Watchkeeper Deck certificate of competencyLearn the skills and knowledge needed to start a career at sea as a watchkeeper deck officer in charge of a navigational watch.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) with a strand Deck Crew before progressing into this programme. Or, you are in industry, training to become a watchkeeper on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more, operating in unlimited waters. 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 combined with sea time and Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) requirements leads to a MNZ certificate: Watchkeeper Deck certificate of competency.