With a shortage of qualified seamen, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is offering a new course aiming to develop safe and effective deck crew members.

The New Zealand Certificate in Domestic Maritime Crewing (Level 3) course provides the necessary education to be a safe and effective deck crew member under limited supervision on vessels of less than 24 metres in length, operating in restricted and near coastal waters.

Maritime programme Manager Maritime Tony Martin says the course will provide participants with the necessary skills to begin a career in the maritime industry.

'The purpose of this qualification is to provide the maritime industry with personnel who have the skills and knowledge required to operate as a safe and effective deck crew member under limited supervision.”

After completing the course, participants will also gain the STCW Basic Safety Training certificates, Maritime Restricted Radio Operators Certificate.

Tony says graduates will have the basic skills and the qualifications required to work on commercial vessels.

'This is an NZQA qualification and is intended for people entering the industry and for those moving to a role where a Maritime New Zealand Qualified Deck Crew certificate may be required. Upon meeting Maritime New Zealand Licence requirements, students may be eligible to apply for the industry recognised Qualified Deck Crew Certificate of Proficiency.”

The 12-week course will be delivered by senior academic staff member Antony Wright, an experienced educationalist with specialist skills in commercial maritime.

Antony worked in various roles in the industry including as a pilot launch skipper and Tug deckhand at Port of Tauranga, a marina manager at 5-star resort Fregate Island in the Seychelles, crew on a super yacht, commercial fishing on long line vessels, trawlers, as well squid fishing and is a Tauranga Coastguard crew member.

He says he is excited to help teach the next generation of maritime specialists and to see where their new skill sets will take them.

'This qualification provides graduates a range of opportunities that can take you across the world and the maritime industry is an exciting sector to work in. You never know where you will end up, so take a punt and come and join me.”