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Anyone wanting to skipper a vessel (for hire or reward) must carry a valid operator’s licence. This includes for vessels used within a work environment even when no passengers are carried.
The two entry-level qualifications for skippers are described below.
The basic skipper’s ticket is the Local Launch Operator’s qualification. Anyone who can prove that they have six months sea service, gained within the last 10 years, can apply for this qualification.
Skippers who achieve their Local Launch Operator’s certificate, are endorsed with up to six vessels and/or areas, and holders are limited to these.
Pleasure vessels will not be endorsed on an Local Launch Operator’s certificate.
Sea service can be recreational or commercial, or a mixture of both. Recreational time is counted as a quarter of commercial sea time. A rough calculation guide is:
6 months commercial time = 750 hours sea service
6 months recreational time = 3,000 hours sea service
People who want to apply for this qualification must complete and submit a number of documents and forms as well as comply with the qualification’s requirements.
Application for a marine qualification form [PDF: 130Kb, 3 pages]
Requirements and guidelines for the Local Launch Operator’s qualification [PDF: 3.09Mb, 2 pages]
Fit and proper person form [PDF: 50Kb, 6 pages]
Consent to disclosure of information form [PDF: 83Kb, 1 page]
Certificate of sea service [PDF: 103Kb, 1 page]
Statutory declaration - qualifying service form [PDF: 105Kb, 1 page]
Sea time can be submitted in the form of hours or days at sea, but must include:
Statutory declaration forms can only be used to claim pleasure time, or in some cases, by self employed persons. These forms must be signed by a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public or Officer authorised to take statutory declarations. Commercial time can be claimed by a skipper filling out a Certificate of Sea Service or in the form of a signed and dated letter from an employer on their organisation’s branded paper.
Candidates can chose to be examined as soon as their application has been approved by Maritime New Zealand. There is no approved course for the Local Launch Operator’s certificate. The Seafarer Licensing team can be contacted for information on local examiners.
Candidates can chose to attended the Inshore Launchmaster course (explained below) through one of Maritime New Zealand’s approved education providers and then sit the Local Launch Operator’s examinations at the end of the course. There are other course options also available.
The next level up from the Local Launch Operator’s certificate is the Inshore Launchmaster’s qualification.
The Inshore Launchmaster’s certificate has no specific area and vessel restrictions. Certificate holders are permitted to operate any vessel up to 24 metres-long in the inshore limits of New Zealand.
Candidates must provide proof of 18 months of sea service, 12 months of which must be within the last 10 years. This sea service needs to include both of the following:
People who want to apply for this qualification must complete and submit a number of documents and forms as well as comply with the qualification’s requirements.
Application for a marine qualification form [PDF: 130Kb, 3 pages]
Guidelines for the Inshore Launchmaster’s qualification [PDF: 520Kb, 12 pages]
Fit and proper person form [PDF: 50Kb, 6 pages]
Consent to disclosure of information form [PDF: 83Kb, 1 page]
Certificate of sea service [PDF: 103Kb, 1 page]
Candidates must also attend a compulsory course of at least three weeks duration at one of Maritime New Zealand’s approved education providers.
