Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Diploma in Yacht Operations (Level 6) with an optional strand in
Master Yacht
Version
1
Qualification type
Diploma
Level
6
Credits
120-200
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 knowledge and skills to
work as chief mate or master on yachts over 24 metres to the
standards required under the Maritime New Zealand Seafarer
Certification and Operational Limits Framework.
This qualification is intended for yacht crew training to become
Chief Mate or Master on a yacht but is also open to other
seafarers and new entrants to the industry.
Graduates of the core qualification will work at management level
as Chief Mate.
The Master Yacht Optional Strand in is for those wishing to take
full charge of the vessel which requires certification as Master.
Completion of this qualification is a pre-requisite to applying for a
Maritime New Zealand Master Yacht < 500GT, Chief Mate Yacht
< 3000 GT and Master Yacht < 3000 GT Certificates. Award of
these certificates by Maritime New Zealand may also require the
completion of: a logbook, oral exam and ancillary certificates.
Outcome Statement
Graduate profile
Qualification Reference 2516
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

Plan and conduct a passage and maintain a safe
navigational watch as Chief Mate on a yacht

Manage communication using global maritime systems

Ensure compliance with international codes for yachts
and for safety, accident, emergency and search and
rescue procedures

Maintain seaworthiness of the yacht

Manoeuvre and handle yachts

Apply leadership and teamwork to on-board duties as
Chief Mate.

Monitor compliance with legislative requirements
Graduates of the Master Yacht Optional Strand will also be
able to:

Manage Voyage planning, navigation and watchkeeping
arrangements as Master

Forecast weather and oceanographic conditions to aid in
Page 1 of 5
vessel management and safety
Education pathway

Develop and maintain safety and security plans, and
plan for, and respond to, emergency situations on board

Manage compliance with legislative requirements

Control yacht trim, stability and stress

Direct the manoeuvring and handling of the yacht in all
conditions

Demonstrate leadership and managerial skills as a Yacht
Master
This is the highest level of qualification for yacht crew.
This qualification can build on the skills developed in:

New Zealand Certificate in Maritime Operations (Level 5)
[Ref: 2512].
Graduates can progress to the New Zealand Diploma in Nautical
Science (Level 6) [Ref: 2515] and then to degree level study to
become Chief Mate or Master of a foreign-going ship.
Employment pathway
Holders of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge
required to work in a watchkeeping and/or command position on
a yacht.
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.
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
Qualification Reference 2516
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 2 of 5
 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 be in accordance with
the relevant maritime certificate requirements.
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 the following competences of the
Maritime New Zealand Competency Framework for Chief Mate
Yacht:
Plan and conduct a passage
and maintain a safe
navigational watch as Chief
Mate on a yacht.
Credits 20
 Plan and conduct a passage and determine position
 Maintain a safe navigational watch
 Plan a voyage and conduct navigation
 Demonstrate position and the accuracy of resultant position
fix by any means
 Determine and allow for compass errors
 Use of Radar and ARPA to maintain safety of navigation
 Use of ECDIS to maintain the safety of navigation.
2
Manage communication using
global maritime systems.
Credits 5
Programme must cover the following competences of the
Maritime New Zealand Competency Framework for Chief Mate
Yacht:
 Use the IMO standard marine communication phrases and
use English in written and oral form
 Transmit and receive information by visual signalling.
Qualification Reference 2516
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 3 of 5
3
Ensure compliance with
international codes for yachts
and for safety, accident,
emergency and search and
rescue procedures.
Credits 40
Programme must cover the following competences of the
Maritime New Zealand Competency Framework for Chief Mate
Yacht:
 Respond to emergencies
 Respond to a distress signal at sea
 Prevent, control and fight fires on board
 Operate life-saving appliances
 Apply medical first aid on board ship
 Contribute to the safety of personnel and ship.
4
Maintain seaworthiness of the
yacht.
Credits 20
Programme must cover the following competences of the
Maritime New Zealand Competency Framework for Chief Mate
Yacht:
 Maintain seaworthiness of the ship.
5
Manoeuvre and handle yachts.
Credits 5
Programme must cover the following competences of the
Maritime New Zealand Competency Framework for Chief Mate
Yacht:
 Manoeuvre the ship.
6
Apply leadership and
teamwork to on-board duties
as Chief Mate.
Credits 20
7
Monitor compliance with
legislative requirements.
Credits 10
Programme must cover the following competences of the
Maritime New Zealand Competency Framework for Chief Mate
Yacht:
 Application of teamwork and team building skills.
Programme must cover the following competences of the
Maritime New Zealand Competency Framework for Chief Mate
Yacht:
 Monitor compliance with legislative requirements.
Master Yacht Optional Strand
8
Manage Voyage planning,
navigation and watchkeeping
arrangements as Master.
Credits 10
Programme must cover the following competences of the
Maritime New Zealand Competency Framework for Master Yacht
< 500gross tonnes/Master Yacht:
 Manage voyage planning and conduct of safe navigation
 Establish watchkeeping arrangements and procedures
 Manage the maintenance of safe navigation through the
use of information from navigation equipment and systems
to assist command decision making
 Manage the safety of navigation through the use of ECDIS
and associated navigation systems to assist command
decision making.
9
Forecast weather and
oceanographic conditions to
aid in vessel management and
safety.
Programme must cover the following competences of the
Maritime New Zealand Competency Framework for Master Yacht
< 500gross tonnes/Master Yacht:
 Forecast weather and oceanographic conditions.
Credits 10
10
Develop and maintain safety
and security plans, and plan
Qualification Reference 2516
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Programme must cover the following competences of the
Maritime New Zealand Competency Framework for Master Yacht
Page 4 of 5
for, and respond to,
emergency situations on
board.
Credits15
< 500gross tonnes/Master Yacht:
 Manage the response to navigational emergencies
 Maintain safety and security of the ship’s crew and
passengers and the operational condition of life-saving, firefighting and other safety systems
 Develop emergency and damage control plans and handle
emergency situations
 Organise and manage the provision of medical care on
board.
11
Manage compliance with
legislative requirements.
Credits 20
Programme must cover the following competences of the
Maritime New Zealand Competency Framework for Master Yacht
< 500gross tonnes/Master Yacht:
 Monitor and control compliance with legislative requirements
and measures to ensure safety of life at sea, security and
protection of the marine environment.
12
Control yacht trim, stability and
stress.
Credits 5
Programme must cover the following competences of the
Maritime New Zealand Competency Framework for Master Yacht
< 500gross tonnes/Master Yacht:
 Control trim, stability and stress.
13
Direct the manoeuvring and
handling of the yacht in all
conditions.
Credits 15
Programme must cover the following competences of the
Maritime New Zealand Competency Framework for Master Yacht
< 500gross tonnes/Master Yacht:
 Manoeuvre and handle a ship in all conditions
 Operate remote controls of propulsion plant and engineering
systems and services.
14
Demonstrate leadership and
managerial skills as a Yacht
Master.
Credits 5
Qualification Reference 2516
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Programme must cover the following competences of the
Maritime New Zealand Competency Framework for Master Yacht
< 500gross tonnes/Master Yacht:
 Use of leadership and managerial skill.
Page 5 of 5