Mate Fishing Vessel – Unlimited (MFV Unlimited)

Find information on training, sea service and other requirements for the MFV Unlimited certificate, including how to apply and pay for your certificate, and where to find more help.

Your MFV Unlimited certificate is valid for five years.

With this certificate, you can perform the functions and duties of a mate on fishing vessels of any size in any operating area.

From MFV Unlimited, you can progress to Skipper Fishing Vessel – Unlimited.

Requirements

Before you spend time doing sea service and training, we recommend you check that you can meet the medical fitness and eyesight standards (including for colour vision), and that you understand the fit and proper person requirements.

You must also have English conversation, reading and writing skills appropriate to the responsibilities and functions for the level of your certificate, so that you can satisfactorily complete training, pass examinations and discharge your duties.

To get this certificate, you need to prove that you meet all of the requirements. In summary, you need to:

  • prove that you have met the minimum sea service requirements
  • complete and pass the approved qualification for MFV-U
  • have the required ancillary certificates and the STCW Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) certificate of competency
  • pass Maritime NZ’s final exam
  • prove that you are a fit and proper person
  • be medically fit and have good eyesight
  • be at least 18 years old.

Each of these requirements and how to prove that you meet them is explained in the full guideline below.

Mate Fishing Vessel – Unlimited (MFV Unlimited)[PDF: 256Kb, 22 pages]

Cost

The application fee for this certificate is $368, which includes goods and services tax (GST)

Application process

This is the application process for this certificate of competency.

Contact us for more help

If you have any questions about seafarer certification, please contact our Personnel Certification team.

Phone:

New Zealand (toll free):
0508 SEACERT or 0508 732 237

Call Personnel Certification now

Email:

seafarers@maritimenz.govt.nz
Tell us what you need help with and remember to include your contact details (email address and phone numbers).