Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Diploma in Fishing Vessel Operations (Level 6) with an optional
strand in Fishing Vessel Skipper
Version
1
Qualification type
Diploma
Level
6
Credits
180 - 245
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 fishing industry
with personnel who are licensed under the International
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F) to
manage the operation of fishing vessels in unlimited waters.
This qualification is intended for experienced fishing seafarers
training to become Mate or Skipper on large offshore fishing
vessels but is also open to new entrants to the industry.
Graduates of the core qualification will work at the level of Mate
Fishing Vessel - Unlimited; second in charge to the Skipper.
The Fishing Vessel Skipper Optional Strand in is for those
wishing to take full charge of the vessel and become certified as
Skipper Fishing Vessel – Unlimited.
Completion of this qualification is a pre-requisite to applying for a
Maritime New Zealand Mate Fishing Vessel – Unlimited or
Skipper Fishing Vessel – Unlimited Certificates. Award of these
certificates 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:
 Lead safe and sustainable working practices, effective
communication and emergency response on board a
vessel.
 Apply knowledge of the seamanship skills required on a
fishing vessel when managing vessel operations.
 Plan and conduct a coastal passage and determine
position.
Outcome Statement
 Navigate vessel in unlimited waters and manage
shipboard watchkeeping arrangements.
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© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
 Manage communications using global maritime systems.
 Operate meteorological instruments and interpret weather
forecasts.
 Ensure compliance with international codes for accident,
emergency and search and rescue procedures.
 Operate survival craft and rescue boats.
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 Direct firefighting operations on board a vessel.
 Apply knowledge of vessel construction and handling and
use of stability and trim tables to the management of
vessel safety.
Graduates of the Fishing Vessel Skipper Optional Strand will
also be able to:
 Manage voyage planning and navigation on fishing
vessels in any operating limit.
 Manage emergencies and search and rescue operations.
 Provide medical care in the event of accident or illness.
 Forecast weather and oceanographic conditions.
 Manage the operation of propulsion and engineering
machinery and systems to manoeuvre and handle a
fishing vessel in all conditions.
 Control fishing vessel trim, stability and stress.
 Manage compliance with maritime law for fishing vessels.
 Plan for, and manage, catch handling and stowage.
Education pathway
This is the highest qualification relating to the command of fishing
vessels.
The qualification can build on the skills developed in:
 New Zealand Certificate in Maritime Operations (Level 5)
[Ref: 2512]
 New Zealand Certificate in Maritime Operations (Level 4)
with strands in Fishing and Watchkeeping [Ref: 2513].
Graduates can continue to non-fishing vessel command by
completing the New Zealand Diploma in Nautical Science
(Level 6) [Ref: 2515] which covers the training for Watchkeeper
Deck. This is a pre-requisite for Level 7 degree training to
become Chief Mate or Master on any vessel under the Maritime
New Zealand Seafarer Certification and Operational Limits
Framework.
Employment pathway
Holders of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge
required to work as Mate or Skipper of a fishing vessel operating
in unlimited waters.
With relevant additional training and experience, graduates may
progress to the following roles which are the most senior
maritime command certificates:
 Chief Mate
 Master.
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
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© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
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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.
 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
The minimum standard of achievement required for the
award of the qualification will be successful completion of an
NZQA approved programme leading to achievement of all
core outcomes in the graduate profile.
Recognition of Current Competence (RCC) may be an
option for candidates entering 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 and regulations. Current
legislation and regulations can be accessed at
http://legislation.govt.nz and http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz.
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© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
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Conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Conditions
1
Lead safe and sustainable
working practices, effective
communication and
emergency response on board
a vessel.
Programme must cover the requirements of the STCW-Basic
certification as detailed in the following tables:
Credits 20
Table A-VI/1-2
Table A-VI/1-1
 Survive at sea in the event of ship abandonment.
 Minimize the risk of fire and fight and extinguish fires.
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.
Programme must cover all aspects of the following competencies
of STCW A VI/6-1
 Security Awareness.
2
Apply knowledge of the
seamanship skills required on
a fishing vessel when
managing vessel operations.
Credits 15
Programme must cover the following STCW-F Resolution 4
annex:
“Recommendation in training of deck-hands working on fishing
vessels of 24 metres on length and over” including:
 Handling and maintenance of deck appliances
 Knowledge of splicing ropes
 Mooring operations and the handling of mooring ropes
 Helm orders and commands for mooring anchoring and
towing.
3
Plan and conduct a coastal
passage and determine
position.
Credits 25
4
Navigate vessel in unlimited
waters and manage shipboard
watchkeeping arrangements.
Credits 60
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies:
STCW-F appendix to regulation 4

Section 3: Terrestrial and coastal navigation.
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies:
STCW-F appendix to regulation 2
 Section 2: Celestial navigation
 Section 4: Radar navigation
 Section 5: Watchkeeping
 Section 6: Electronic systems of position-fixing and
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navigation
 Section 8: Magnetic and gyro –compasses.
5
Manage communications
using global maritime systems.
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies:
Credits 10
STCW-F appendix to regulation 2
 Section 9: Communications
 Section 17: English language.
Programme must cover all aspects of the following competencies
of the
STCW Table A-lV/2:
 GMDSS radio operation.
6
Operate meteorological
instruments and interpret
weather forecasts.
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies:
 section 7: Meteorology.
Credits 10
7
Ensure compliance with
international codes for
accident, emergency and
search and rescue
procedures.
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies:
STCW-F appendix to regulation 2
 Section 11: Lifesaving
 Section 12: Emergency procedures
Credits 5
 Section 19: Search and rescue
 Section 20: Pollution.
8
Operate survival craft and
rescue boats.
Programme must cover all aspects of the following competencies
of the STCW Table A-Vl/2-1:
 Survival craft and rescue boats.
Credits 5
9
Direct firefighting operations
on board a vessel.
Programme must cover all aspects of the following competencies
of the STCW Table A-Vl/3:
 Advanced firefighting.
Credits 5
10
Apply knowledge of vessel
construction and handling and
use of stability and trim tables
to the management of vessel
safety.
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies:
STCW-F appendix to regulation 2
 Section 13: Fishing vessel maneuvering and handling
 Section 14: Fishing vessel construction
25 credits
 Section 15: Vessel stability
 Section 16: Catch handling and stowage.
Fishing Vessel Skipper Optional Strand
11
Manage voyage planning and
navigation on fishing vessels
in any operating limit.
Credits 20
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Programme must cover all management aspects of the following
competencies:
STCW-F appendix to regulation 1
 Section 2: Navigation and position determination
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 Section 4: Radar navigation
 Section 5: Magnetic and gyro compasses.
12
Manage emergencies and
search and rescue operations.
Programme must cover all management aspects of the following
competencies:
Credits 10
STCW-F appendix to regulation 1
 Section 11: Fire prevention and firefighting appliances
 Section 12: Emergency procedures
 Section 18: Search and rescue.
13
Provide medical care in the
event of accident or illness.
Programme must cover all management aspects of the following
competencies:
Credits 5
STCW Table A-Vl/4-1
 Medical care.
14
Forecast weather and
oceanographic conditions.
Programme must cover all management aspects of the following
competencies:
Credits 5
STCW-F appendix to regulation 1
 Section 6: Meteorology and oceanography.
15
Manage the operation of
propulsion and engineering
machinery and systems to
manoeuvre and handle a
fishing vessel in all conditions.
Credits 5
16
Programme must cover all management aspects of the following
competencies:
STCW-F appendix to regulation 1
 Section 7: Fishing vessel manoeuvring and handling
 Section 10: Fishing vessel power plants.
Control fishing vessel trim,
stability and stress.
Programme must cover all management aspects of the following
competencies:
Credits 5
STCW-F appendix to regulation 1
 Section 8: Fishing vessel construction and stability.
17
Manage compliance with
maritime law for fishing
vessels.
Credits 10
18
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies:
STCW-F appendix to regulation 1
 Section 14: maritime law.
Plan for, and manage, catch
handling and stowage.
Programme must cover all aspects of the following
competencies:
Credits 5
STCW-F appendix to regulation 1
 Section 9: catch handling and stowage.
Qualification Reference 2893
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
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