Students of the program are able to combine practical sea-time and training ashore to build on your knowledge in navigation methods, radar, bridge systems, hazards, compass work, meteorology, maritime practices, ship properties and shipboard communications.

Those students holding a Watchkeeper deck Certificate of Competency issued by Maritime New Zealand or an overseas qualification recognised by MNZ as being equivalent; or Those students who have completed the academic components of the NZ2515 NZ Diploma in Nautical Science programme; or Those students holding a Marine Engineer Class 3 Certificate of Competency issued by Maritime New Zealand or an overseas qualification recognised by MNZ as being equivalent, and passes within the past five years in the Mathematics and Engineering Drawing courses of the revised Class 3 Certificate of Competency; or Those students who have completed the academic components of the NZ2514 New Zealand Diploma in Marine Engineering programme; Proof of English proficiency