The qualification is specifically designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to apply for the Maritime New Zealand Mate Fishing Vessel – Unlimited Certificate of Competency (MFV-U COC).

The MNZ certificate allows the holder to perform the duties of mate on fishing vessels of any size in any operating area, subject to the certificate's requirements.

NMIT describes the programme more specifically as preparing students to work as a mate on a fishing vessel 24 metres or more in length in any operating area at sea.

Nelson is a strong location for commercial fishing

NMIT says Nelson is Australasia's largest seafood port, making it a particularly relevant environment for commercial-fishing education.

Strong industry connection

NMIT has been training people for the fishing industry since 1976 and maintains relationships with major seafood-processing businesses. This gives the programme a strong industry orientation.

Practical maritime training

The programme includes navigation, passage planning, seamanship, vessel operations, ship stability, electronic navigation, radar, GMDSS, firefighting, survival craft and other practical maritime competencies.

Progression toward skipper

The programme provides a career pathway beyond mate level. NMIT states that after completing the qualification, students can return after 12 months and progress toward Skipper Fishing Vessel – Unlimited certification.

Medical and Physical Requirements

NMIT specifies additional physical requirements for some of the practical safety courses.

For the fire-training courses, students must:

• Be physically fit enough to participate in practical training.
• Provide a medical certificate issued by a General Practitioner, or a seafarer's medical certificate/equivalent.

For STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats, students must:

• Be physically fit for the practical component.
• Provide a Seafarers Medical Certificate or equivalent.

Programme Structure / Subjects

The current programme page lists a substantial collection of compulsory courses.

Safety and STCW training

• STCW Elementary First Aid – FAC303
• STCW Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting – FFT311
• STCW Personal Survival Techniques – PST311
• STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibility – PSS311B
• STCW Basic Safety Training – SBT311
• STCW Seafarer Security Awareness – SSA311C
• STCW Advanced Firefighting – FFT511
• STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats – SCC511
• STCW Medical First Aid – FAC511

Navigation and watchkeeping

• Navigation – Offshore – NAV413
• Passage Planning – PAS411
• Compass Navigation – CMP611
• Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (Generic) – ECD611
• Electronic Navigation Aids – ENS611
• Ocean Meteorology – MET611
• Celestial Navigation and Tides – NAV611
• Radar and ARPA Watchkeeping – RAD611
• Watchkeeper Competency – WCO611
• Watchkeeping Principles – WKP611

Fishing vessel and technical knowledge

• Seamanship – Fishing – SEA411B
• Fishing Vessel Construction – CON612
• Fishing Vessel Operations – FVO611
• Ship Stability Fishing Vessels – STA612
• Ship Stability – STA613
• STCW Global Maritime Distress and Safety System – GMD611

What Students Learn

The programme develops competencies across several key maritime disciplines.

Navigation

Students learn how to navigate vessels operating in offshore and unlimited waters, including traditional and electronic navigation techniques.

Passage planning

Students develop the ability to plan and monitor voyages safely.

Electronic navigation

The programme covers:

• ECDIS
• Electronic navigation aids
• Radar
• ARPA
• Compass navigation

For example, NMIT's Electronic Navigation Aids course is specifically designed for personnel using electronic navigation aids on vessels operating in unlimited waters.

GMDSS

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System course develops the ability to use GMDSS equipment and fulfil its functional requirements.

Ship stability

Students study vessel stability, including fishing-vessel stability.

Fishing vessel operations

Students develop practical knowledge relevant to operating commercial fishing vessels.

Emergency and survival skills

Training includes:

• Firefighting
• Advanced firefighting
• Survival techniques
• Survival craft
• Rescue boats
• First aid
• Medical first aid
• Personal safety
• Security awareness 

Ancillary Certificates Included

NMIT says the programme contains the training and supplementary certificates needed for the COC, including:

• STCW Basic Safety Training
• Advanced Firefighting
• Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats
• GMDSS Radio Operator.

Career Outcomes

The principal career outcome is:

Fishing Vessel Mate

Graduates can progress toward professional roles such as:

• Mate on commercial fishing vessels.
• Deck officer.
• Watchkeeping/deck operations roles.
• Offshore fishing operations.
• Commercial fishing vessel operations.

Student Visa – Main Requirements

Immigration New Zealand requires applicants to demonstrate, among other things:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Ability to pay tuition fees or evidence of a scholarship.
• Sufficient funds for living expenses.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Good health.
• Good character.
• Appropriate medical/travel insurance.
• Ability to leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.