About the programme
The New Zealand Diploma in Nautical Science (STCW OOW II/1) is an NZQF Level 6 programme of 300 credits at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) that prepares seafarers with sea time for the Maritime New Zealand Watchkeeper Deck certificate and the international IMO STCW II/1 Officer of the Watch qualification.
It is delivered by the International Maritime Institute of New Zealand (IMINZ), NMIT's maritime school in Nelson, which has trained both new and experienced seafarers for decades. The core is a full-time block course in Nelson lasting 36–43 weeks; the overall length depends on the student's sea time and prior qualifications.
The curriculum covers navigational mathematics and physics, meteorology including ocean weather, offshore, celestial and compass navigation, passage planning, radar and ARPA, electronic navigation aids and ECDIS, bridge watchkeeping, ship construction and stability, cargo handling and stowage, maritime law and GMDSS. A separate set of STCW safety courses covers basic safety, medical first aid, advanced firefighting and survival craft and rescue boats.
Training uses realistic equipment: a virtual bridge simulator with configurable vessels, weather and emergencies, a Kongsberg marine engineering simulator, Transas ECDIS stations, a three-storey marine firefighting facility and a davit-launched lifeboat at Port Nelson for abandon-ship drills.
There is no arranged work placement. Instead, students must complete their Watchkeeper Deck Training Record Book before the block course and present it to the Maritime New Zealand examiner ahead of the final oral exam. MNZ sea-time, medical and eyesight requirements for the licence should be checked separately.
Entry requirements
- NCEA Level 2 or a related NZQF qualification at Level 4 or above; alternative entry is possible with demonstrated skills
- Sea service: at least 12 months in an approved training programme such as a cadetship with a record book, or at least 36 months at sea; either way including six months of supervised bridge watchkeeping
- If English is not your first language: IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5, from a single test and valid for two years
- A current GP medical or seafarer's medical certificate (no older than two years) before the first aid, firefighting and survival craft courses
- A completed Watchkeeper Deck Training Record Book before the block course
What you study
- STCW Basic Safety Training, Medical First Aid, Advanced Firefighting, Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats
- Navigational Mathematics and Navigational Physics
- Introduction to Meteorology and Ocean Meteorology
- Navigation – Offshore, Celestial Navigation, Compass Navigation
- Passage Planning
- Bridge Watchkeeping – OOW and Officer of the Watch Tasks/Assignments
- Radar and ARPA Watchkeeping, Electronic Navigation Aids, ECDIS
- STCW Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
- Ship Construction and Ship Stability
- Cargo Handling and Stowage, Maritime Legislation
Careers after graduation
- Applying for the Maritime New Zealand Watchkeeper Deck Certificate of Competency
- The international IMO STCW II/1 Officer of the Watch certificate
- Working as a bridge watchkeeping officer
Post-study work visa
Short-term work visa (STGWV) up to 6 months, under the rules effective 16 November 2026
Depends on the qualification, the length of study and other Immigration New Zealand requirements.
This description is based on the official programme page, checked on 19/09/2026. Ask an NIU adviser about fees and intake dates — the programme page on the NMIT website