Renewing STCW certificates
This page explains which certificates this applies to and the medical, sea‑service, and additional requirements you must meet.
STCW certificates that must be renewed
New Zealand STCW certificates are issued in line with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW).
The following STCW certificates, tanker certificates of proficiency, and tanker endorsements must be renewed every 5 years:
-
Watchkeeper Deck <500GT Near‑coastal
-
Watchkeeper Deck
-
Chief Mate <3000GT
-
Chief Mate
-
Master <500GT Near‑coastal
-
Master <500GT
-
Master <3000GT
-
Master
-
Chief Mate Yacht
-
Master Yacht <500GT
-
Master Yacht
-
Electro‑technical Officer (ETO)
-
Marine Engineer Class 3 (MEC 3)
-
Marine Engineer Class 2 (MEC 2)
-
Marine Engineer Class 2 – endorsed as Chief Engineer (MEC 2 ECE)
-
Marine Engineer Class 1 (MEC 1)
-
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) radio operator
-
basic tanker endorsements or certificates of proficiency for oil and chemical tankers
-
basic tanker endorsements or certificates of proficiency for liquefied‑gas tankers
-
advanced tanker endorsements or certificates of proficiency for oil, chemical, and liquefied‑gas tankers.
Medical fitness and fit and proper person requirements
To renew an STCW certificate or endorsement, you must:
-
provide evidence that your medical fitness, including eyesight, hearing, and speech, meets the standards set in the STCW Manila amendments
-
provide this evidence as a valid STCW seafarer certificate of medical fitness, carried out and signed by an approved medical practitioner
-
meet Maritime NZ’s fit and proper person requirements.
Sea‑service requirements
You must provide evidence of one of the following:
-
at least 12 months of approved sea service in the 5 years before you apply to renew, or
-
at least 3 months of sea service in the 6 months immediately before you apply to renew.
If you do not meet these sea‑service requirements, alternatives may be available. These may include:
-
a practical competency assessment
-
further training and assessment
-
additional approved sea service in functions appropriate to the certificate you hold immediately before taking up a new rank.
Maritime NZ can also accept appropriate experience in certain non‑seagoing positions if it is considered equivalent to sea service.
Additional requirements
-
The STCW Manila 2010 amendments require evidence of additional training and/or sea service for:
-
deck officers working on board ships fitted with an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)
-
holders of tanker endorsements
-
engineer officers working with high‑voltage (HV) systems
-
holders of GMDSS certificates
-
leadership and management‑skills requirements
-
security‑awareness training.
Ancillary certificates of proficiency
Some New Zealand certificates of competency, certificates of proficiency, and endorsements require ancillary (additional) proficiencies, such as:
-
basic and advanced fire‑fighting
-
medical first aid and medical‑care training
-
survival‑craft and rescue‑boat training
-
security‑related training.
Maritime NZ’s detailed guidance on renewing STCW certificates and tanker certificates/endorsements is being reviewed and updated. In the meantime, contact Maritime NZ if you need clarification:
Detailed renewal guidance
For full details on renewing STCW certificates and tanker certificates/endorsements, see: