M AR I TI M E TR AIN IN G
SEACERT: WHAT IS THE REALITY FOR
NEW TRAINEES?
BY LOUISE DEEHAN-OWEN, SENIOR LECTURER, NZ MARITIME SCHOOL
T
he ���Draft Rules��� for ���SeaCert��� have been published by
Maritime New Zealand. They lay out the realities, and the
probable content of the final document. By the time this
goes to print I hope you have all considered the impact on your
businesses and employment and made a formal ���comment��� to
Maritime New Zealand. For those who can see problems, and
for those can suggest solutions, there is no right to criticise the
outcome if you do not make a submission.
We have heard the concerns about the competencies in the
framework for QDC and SRL. However, of concern to us is
the larger picture of how the new Licences will impact on the
trainees and companies that employ them.
For a new trainee, they may be lucky enough to be employed by
an operator who can mentor and provide them with direction and
assistance, but for most individuals with no industry background or
support, it appears to be a daunting process. Sea service, task books
and ancillary competencies, require a knowledge of processes that
new entrants will need direction and guidance with.
Of more consequence and impact may be the proposed new
Maritime NZ charges. A ���Paper Application��� to Maritime NZ for
the issue of the QDC Certificate of Proficiency has been set at
$9590. For a limited use domestic entry certificate this charge seems
>
excessive. From QDC, mariners can pathway to the SRL or use this
as an entry point. With the new proposed fee for issue of the SRL
Certificate of Competence standing at $1376 it again provides an
eye opener of the costs to come. For companies, there are the added
complexities the new rules introduce and the impact that these will
have on their company operations. For example, companies using
QDC on vessels carrying over 250 persons will be required to have
QDC employees holding a passenger endorsement.
Not all outcomes are negative, as the move to competence
falls in line with other trades and the ability to sit final
examinations without a ���Permit To Sit��� does benefit the
candidate and streamline the process. However, it provides a
stumbling block when trainees do not ascertain their eligibility
to hold the licence and only find this out at the end of the
process. The Maritime NZ process to provide a ���pre-eligibility���
check will be a vital service that will no doubt come at a good
cost. It would be nice to see a candidate who has utilised this
service receive a rebate on the final issue cost, as the time taken
by Maritime NZ staff must surely be less when the candidate
submits their final documents.
When viewing what the trainees are heading for, the CDH,
LLO and ILM start to look really simple.
We provide maritime training in
the following areas:
- Maritime New Zealand Licences
Your ���rst
choice in
maritime
training
- Marine Engineering
- STCW ���95 Basic Training
- Mate and Master Yacht Licences.
Maritime training designed to
meet your company���s needs:
- Customised training
- Experienced lecturers
- Flexible learning options including blended
delivery for ���Inshore Launchmaster��� and
���New Zealand Offshore Watchkeeper���
Maritime New Zealand licences
New Zealand Maritime School, Level 3, 2 Commerce St, Auckland on phone:
0800 744 722 email: maritime@manukau.ac.nz or visit: www.nzmaritime.com
2200
For a list of our 2013 courses or
for more information, contact:
VIP.WB13
VIP.WB13
- Maritime consultancy.
March/April 2013 Professional Skipper 53
