Engineering a change
Savannah Roop will soon return to her volunteer work as an engineer on a medical ship.
Get ready for summer
Gain skills for work in the maritime tourism industry to help you land a job on the water.
During summer New Zealand tourism heats up, and the maritime industry seeks skilled and experienced people to work in roles such as
- Boat hosts
- Deckhands
- Deck crew
- Skippers*
Roles like these are very diverse.
You could be working on a small charter yacht or on a large interisland ferry.
These roles can be very hands-on; loading vessels, driving tenders, docking and tying ropes.
Or very people focused; welcoming people aboard, serving food and beverages, guiding tours, or a mixture of all of these things.
Get started now for summer
At NMIT we run a 12 week, Certificate in Superyacht Crewing programme through which you gain a New Zealand Certificate in Maritime (Crewing) qualification.
This programme starts in February, May and September every year.
"Graduates from our February intake usually head over to Europe for their summer, but graduates from our May and September intakes can find work here in the New Zealand, as our summer is just starting."
"Employers look for skills and experience, which our Superyacht graduates have as our programme is so hands on. They have the opportunity to clock up 100 hours of seatime just doing the programme."
- Peter Carmichael, Tutor
Skills and experience
Seatime
You can get up to 100 hours seatime while you study through the 2.5 day introductory yacht trip, 5 day competent crew yacht trip and 4-5 days doing small boat handling training, all part of the Certificate in Superyacht Crewing programme.
*The Skipper Restricted Limits licence, required to Skipper a boat with passengers, requires 200 hours seatime - so your already halfway there when you graduate.
Hospitality
As part of the Certificate in Superyacht Crewing you will gain your Bar Manager's licence and barista training - giving you an edge when seeking employment where there is a hospitality or service role involved.
Vessel handling and safety
Having your Restricted Radio Operators, Tender Operators, Powerboat and Competent Crew Certificates, all gained through our Certificate in Superyacht Crewing, will give you valuable practical skills for working and around vessels.
Work ready skills
"I am very happy with the crew we've had come from your course. They have always proved competent in the role." - Shay Gill, Operations Manager, Wilsons Abel Tasman National Park Ltd.
*The Skipper Restricted Limits licence, required to Skipper a boat with passengers, requires 200 hours seatime - so your already halfway there when you graduate.
