New Zealand Certificate in Maritime Crewing (Level 2)
Fisheries
A course by
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
A 12-week maritime crewing certificate teaching essential deck crewing skills and preparing you for entry-level positions on commercial vessels. No tuition fees for domestic students.
In-person study
Face-to-face learning in a physical classroom setting
Windermere Campus, Tauranga
It will take a total of 12 weeks
Core skills this course teaches
Health and safety compliance
Comply with all relevant workplace health and safety requirements on board commercial vessels.
Maritime safety and emergencies
Demonstrate basic skills using sea safety and survival equipment and respond to maritime emergency situations including fire.
Crew operational skills and teamwork
Work as an effective crew member to carry out basic operational tasks and provide first aid on board a vessel.
What You're Signing Up For
This hands-on maritime crewing programme provides practical training for entry-level work on commercial vessels. You will learn workplace health and safety, sea safety, survival equipment, emergency procedures, vessel terminology, deck operational duties, and first aid. Classes are based at Toi Ohomai's Windermere Campus in Tauranga, with experience aboard various vessels such as 'Weka'. The certificate prepares graduates for deck crew roles and progression to further maritime qualifications.
Course Content
- Workplace health and safety requirements on board a vessel
- Basic sea safety and survival equipment skills
- Maritime emergency procedures including fire prevention and firefighting
- Crew member operational tasks
- First aid on board a vessel
- Maritime terminology and nautical terms
- Operational areas, fittings and equipment
- Chain of command
- Hand signals for berthing and letting go
- Safe handling of lines and mooring
- Personal protective equipment for mooring
- Anchoring procedures
- Safe use of equipment and machinery
- Berthing and Letting go
- Collision regulations
- Watchkeeping and lookout duties
- Steering a vessel
- Basic seamanship skills
- Rope fibres, manufacturing, care, and storage
- Splicing and stoppers with fibre ropes
- Knotting, bends, and hitches
- Tackles
What you need to know first
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Maritime
Fisheries
Marine operations
Future employment opportunities might be
Deck crew on vessels operating in restricted or near coastal waters
With additional training: Qualified deck crew, advanced deckhand (fishing endorsement), deck watch rating, able seafarer, skipper (coastal/offshore), mate or master fishing vessel, watchkeeper deck <500GT, master <500GT, watchkeeper deck (unlimited), pathway to Master Mariner
Known for hands-on, industry-aligned education, Toi Ohomai focuses on giving learners real skills that lead to real outcomes. With strong employer connections, supportive teaching, and clear pathways across certificates, diplomas, and degrees, it’s a place where learning stays relevant and confidence grows over time. Courses span trades, construction, business, health, creative industries, technology, and primary industries, helping learners build experience and momentum for whatever comes next.