Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Diploma in Nautical Science (Level 6)
Version
1
Qualification type
Diploma
Level
6
Credits
300
NZSCED
031705
Engineering and Related Technologies > Maritime Engineering
and Technology > Marine Craft Operation
Qualification developer
Competenz
Next review
December 2020
Approval date
May 2015
Strategic purpose statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the maritime
industry with personnel who have the skills and knowledge
required by the International Convention on Standards of
Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW)
to work as Officer of the Watch (Deck) on foreign-going ships.
Graduates work directly under the Chief Mate or Master and
have a very high level of responsibility for the safety of the
vessel.
This qualification is for seafarers training to become officers in
charge of a navigational watch on ships of 500 GT or more
operating in unlimited waters but is also open to new entrants to
the industry.
The qualification covers the requirements for Watchkeeper Deck
under the Maritime New Zealand Seafarer Certification and
Operational Limits Framework.
Completion of this qualification is a pre-requisite to applying for a
Maritime New Zealand Watchkeeper Deck – Unlimited
Certificate. Award of this certificate by Maritime New Zealand
may also require the completion of: a logbook, oral exam and
ancillary certificates.
Graduate profile
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
 Apply advanced leadership and team work skills to
manage shipboard resources and personnel.
 Manage the planning and conduct of a passage and
determine position on a foreign-going ship in any operating
area.
Outcome Statement
 Manage the maintenance of a safe navigational watch
using electronic navigation aids on a foreign-going ship
and manage maintenance of electronic navigation
systems.
Qualification Reference 2515
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
 Lead the response to emergencies and distress at sea.
 Communicate using IMO standard marine communication
phrases and visual signalling.
 Direct the manoeuvring and handling of the vessel in all
conditions.
 Proactively ensure compliance with pollution prevention
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requirements.
 Manage the loading, stowage, unloading and care of
cargoes during voyages.
 Manage vessel stability, trim and stress to maintain
seaworthiness of the ship.
 Manage compliance with legislative requirements.
 Lead safe and sustainable working practices, effective
communication and emergency response on board a
vessel.
 Direct firefighting operations on board a vessel.
 Operate survival craft and rescue boats.
 Maintain vessel security and provide on-board medical first
aid.
Education pathway
This qualification can build on the skills developed in:
 New Zealand Certificate in Maritime Operations (Level 5)
[Ref: 2512].
Graduates of this qualification can progress to Level 7
qualifications to become Chief Mate or Master under the
Maritime New Zealand SeaCert licensing system.
Employment pathway
Holders of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge
required to work as Officer in Charge of a navigational watch on
ships of any gross tonnage (Watchkeeper Deck) under the
Maritime New Zealand SeaCert licensing system.
With relevant additional training and experience, graduates may
progress to:
 Chief Mate Foreign Going
 Master Foreign Going.
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
This qualification can be awarded by an organisation which
has an approved programme of study, or industry training
programme leading to the qualification.
The certificate will display the logo of the NZQF and may
display the name and/or logo of the awarding body.
Evidence requirements for assuring
consistency
All Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs) either arranging
training or delivering programmes that lead to the award of
the qualification are required to participate in a consistency
process scheduled by NZQA.
This will involve reviewing evidence associated with
graduate’s achievement of outcomes, and agreeing
acceptable thresholds for qualification outcome achievement
and areas for improvement.
To demonstrate how graduates are achieving the
qualification graduate profile outcomes, TEOs are required
to produce their own evidence in a high level report.
Qualification Reference 2515
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
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Evidence will include the following:
 Employer surveys to determine if graduates of the
qualification meet graduate profile outcomes.
 Evidence of effective processes to ensure
programmes continue to meet current industry needs.
 A range of workplace evidence demonstrating that
graduates meet the graduate profile outcomes.
 Successful completion of the Maritime New Zealand
Log Book and Exams.
 Any other relevant evidence as appropriate.
Further information can be found on the NZQA website.
Minimum standard of achievement
and standards for grade
endorsements
Achievement of all outcomes. There are no grade
endorsements for this qualification.
Other requirements for the
qualification (including regulatory
body or legislative requirements)
Entry to this qualification is open but completion does not
guarantee the award of a Maritime New Zealand license. All
persons wishing to qualify for a seafarer license must also
check the Maritime New Zealand prior certification and
minimum service requirements for that license.
General conditions for the programme leading to the qualification
General conditions for
programme
Programmes leading to this qualification must comply with the
requirements of the relevant maritime certificate as defined in the
Maritime New Zealand Seafarer Certification and Operational Limits
Framework and the International Convention on Standards of
Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.
TEOs arranging training or delivering programmes towards this
qualification must ensure that the training arranged and programmes
of learning delivered, are kept up-to-date with regard to amendments
to, and replacements of relevant legislation, regulations. Current
legislation and regulations can be accessed at
http://legislation.govt.nz. and http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/.
Conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Conditions
1
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies of the STCW Table A-II/1:
Apply advanced leadership and
team work skills to manage
shipboard resources and
personnel.
 Application of leadership and team working skills.
Credits 30
2
Manage the planning and
conduct of a passage and
determine position on a foreigngoing ship in any operating area.
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies of the STCW Table A-II/1:
 Plan and conduct a passage and determine position.
Credits 45
Qualification Reference 2515
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
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3
Manage the maintenance of a
safe navigational watch using
electronic navigation aids on a
foreign-going ship and manage
maintenance of electronic
navigation systems.
Credits 40
4
Lead the response to
emergencies and distress at sea.
Credits 10
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies of the STCW Table A-II/1:
 Maintain a safe navigational watch
 Use of radar and ARPA to maintain safety of navigation.
 Use of ECDIS to maintain safety of navigation.
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies of the STCW Table A-II/1:
 Respond to emergencies
 Respond to a distress signal at sea.
5
Communicate using IMO
standard marine communication
phrases and visual signalling.
Credits 30
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies of the STCW Table A-II/1:
 Use the IMO standard marine communication phrases
and use English in written and oral form
 Transit and receive information by visual signalling.
6
Direct the manoeuvring and
handling of the vessel in all
conditions.
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies of the STCW Table A-II/1:
 Manoeuvre the ship.
Credits 30
7
Proactively ensure compliance
with pollution prevention
requirements.
Credits 10
8
Manage the loading, stowage,
unloading and care of cargoes
during voyages.
Credits 30
9
Manage vessel stability, trim and
stress to maintain seaworthiness
of the ship.
Credits 30
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies of the STCW Table II/1:
 Ensure compliance with pollution prevention
requirements.
Cargoes include dangerous goods.
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies of the STCW Table A-II/1:
 Monitor the loading, stowage, securing, care during the
voyage and the unloading of cargoes.
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies of the STCW Table A-II/1:
 Inspect and report defects and damage to cargo
spaces, hatch covers and ballast tanks
 Maintain seaworthiness of the ship.
10
Manage compliance with
legislative requirements.
Credits 10
13
Lead safe and sustainable
working practices, effective
communication and emergency
response on board a vessel.
Credits 20
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies of the STCW Table A-II/1:
 Monitor compliance with legislative requirements
Programme must cover the requirements of the STCW-Basic
certification as detailed in the following tables:
Table A-VI/1-1
 Survive at sea in the event of ship abandonment.
Table A-VI/1-2
 Minimize the risk of fire and fight and extinguish fires.
Qualification Reference 2515
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
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Table A-VI/1-3
 Take immediate action upon encountering an accident
or medical emergency.
Table A-VI/1-4
 Comply with emergency procedures
 Take action to protect the marine environment
 Observe safe working practices
 Contribute to effective communication and relationships
 Take action to control fatigue.
11
Direct firefighting operations on
board a vessel.
Credits 5
12
Operate survival craft and rescue
boats.
Credits 5
14
Maintain vessel security and
provide on-board medical first
aid.
Credits 5
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies of the STCW Table A-Vl/3:
 Advanced firefighting.
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies of the STCW Table A-Vl/2-1:
 Survival craft and rescue boats.
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies of the STCW A VI/6:
 Security Awareness.
Programme must also cover all aspects of the following
medical first aid competencies of the STCW A-VI/4:
 Apply immediate first aid in the event of accident or
illness on board
 Provide medical care to the sick and injured while they
remain on board
 Participate in coordinated schemes for medical
assistance to ships.
Qualification Reference 2515
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
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