Renewing national certificates of competency and endorsements
National certificates and endorsements
Certificates and endorsements for vessels operating in restricted limits and vessels less than 24 metres (<24 ) in coastal/offshore waters must be renewed every five years.
This applies to the following national certificates and endorsements:
National certificate |
Skipper Restricted Limits |
Skipper Coastal/Offshore |
Master Yacht <24m |
MEC 4 |
MEC 5 |
MEC 5 (Steam) |
MEC 5 (Motor and Steam) |
MEC 6 |
Endorsement |
Skipper Restricted Limits endorsed for vessels of 500–3000 gross tonnage (SRL 500–3000GT) |
Passenger endorsement |
Cook Strait endorsement |
High-speed endorsement |
Square-rigged endorsement |
Medical fitness
You need to prove that your medical fitness and eyesight meet the required standard. You must also meet the fit and proper person requirements.
Sea service
You must provide evidence of having completed at least six months' approved sea service within the previous five years or 45 days' sea service in the three months immediately before renewing.
If you do not meet the sea service requirements or your certificate has expired, alternatives to sea service may be available. These may involve a practical competency assessment and/or further training and assessment.
MNZ is also able to accept experience in certain non-seagoing positions as equivalent to sea service.
Certificate renewal sea service fact sheets [PDF: 192kB, 3 pages]
Find out more
Renewal of national certificates of competency and endorsements [PDF: 349kB, 14 pages]