Maritime Crewing - STCW Able Seafarer Deck

NMIT is part of Te Pūkenga

This means that you will now graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification. Read more
Locations and dates
No start dates are currently available. Register to be informed when new dates are added.
Study options

Full time or part time
Length

3 week block course at Nelson campus plus 1 week PISC Proficiency in Survival Craft. 16 weeks total programme duration.
Total credits

60
Fees

2025: $2,478 plus $88 Student Services Levy

A Compulsory Student Services Levy applies (2025; $2.17 per credit).

Fees listed are for each year of the programme, indicative only and may vary with course selection.

View course details for individual fees.
National qualification code

NZ2511

Gain the skills and knowledge you need to apply for your Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

This Maritime Crewing (Level 4) programme is for qualified deck and engine room crew who wish to advance to able seafarer roles.

You have the option to complete this programme with one of two strands: Deck Crew or Engineering (We are also accredited to offer the Electrotechnical Rating strand. However, no set intakes are available at this time. Please contact our IMINZ team if you have a particular interest in this strand.)

As a graduate of this qualification you will carry out crewing duties within your strand speciality area at a support level to watchkeepers, masters or engineers.

Industry staff training

NMIT can work directly with maritime businesses to deliver the STCW Able Seafarer Deck course and other STCW maritime courses for groups of staff requiring certification. Contact us today so we can plan ahead with you.

info@nmit.ac.nz

This qualification is a prerequisite to:

Maritime New Zealand STCW Able Seafarer Deck licence, or
Maritime New Zealand STCW Able Seafarer Engine licence.

Either of these licences will allow you to work independently and with only broad guidance as crew on vessels operating in unlimited waters.

Furthermore, if you want to know more about the International Maritime Institute of New Zealand then click on the link IMINZ.(external link)

What will I learn?

Graduates of this qualification will be able to apply safe and sustainable working practices and contribute to effective communication and emergency response on board a vessel.

Graduates of the Deck Crew Strand will also be able to:

Contribute as a deck hand to shipboard maintenance and repair
Maintain a safe navigational watch at the support level and assist with berthing the vessel
Handle and correctly stow cargo and stores
Safely operate deck equipment and machinery
Operate survival craft and rescue boats.

Graduates of the Engineering Strand will also be able to:

Contribute as an engineer to shipboard maintenance and repair
Contribute to on-board engineering

Programme philosophy

At NMIT we know that students learn best when there is a direct link between theory and practical application. Therefore, opportunities for practical, experiential learning are maximised by incorporating a range of learning activities such as scenarios, role plays and practical tasks. This programme combines theory and practical skills and include a high proportion of practical, scenario based learning and assessment.

Your fellow learners on this programme will have experience or be currently working on vessels in trainee and/or support roles and will have work experience and knowledge gained on-board in a variety of conditions and locations. Some students will be operating from international locations. Our programme encourages you to share your individual experiences related to course content, maximising the learning opportunities of the entire class.

‘In te ao Māori, the concept of ako means both to teach and to learn. It recognises the knowledge that both teachers and learners bring to learning interactions, and it acknowledges the way that new knowledge and understandings can grow out of shared learning experiences. This powerful concept has been supported by educational research showing that when teachers facilitate reciprocal teaching and learning roles in their classrooms, students’ achievement improves’ (Alton-Lee, 2003).

The delivery of this programme embodies the concept of AKO in tertiary education in New Zealand.

All programmes at NMIT are also designed to increase your general employability by enhancing your core transferable skills; particularly digital literacy, problem solving, communication skills and team work.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

There are no minimum academic requirements for entry to the Maritime Crewing Programmes.

English language requirements

All applicants must have a level of English sufficient to undertake this programme, which is taught and assessed in English. Those students whose first language is not English should have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall academic score.

Level 3 Programmes: IELTS of at least 5 (with no band score lower than 5.0) issued within the last two years, or equivalent.

Level 4 Programmes: IELTS of at least 5.5 (with no band score lower than 5.0) issued within the last two years, or equivalent.

Other requirements

Applicants must hold either:

Applicants should be aware that there are MNZ sea time, medical and eyesight requirements for the MNZ license which their programme contributes towards. Applicants should refer to www.maritimenz.govt.nz(external link) website.

In order to undertake the fire and survival training courses (SBT311 and SCC511) prior to the training taking place, applicants must:

Be physically fit and capable of participating in the practical training component
Provide a Medical Certificate issued by a General Practitioner, or provide a Seafarers Medical Certificate or equivalent.

Further study