Mate Fishing Vessel – Limited (MFV)
Your MFV certificate is valid for five years.
With this certificate, you can perform the functions and duties of:
- a mate on fishing vessels of less than 45 metres overall length operating in inshore fishing limits and in limited waters
- a navigational watchkeeper on fishing vessels of any length operating in unlimited waters.
From MFV, you can progress to Skipper Fishing Vessel – Limited (SFV) or to fishing certificates in the unlimited area. You may also progress to officer certificates for non-fishing vessels.
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.
To get this certificate, you need to prove that you meet all of the requirements. In summary, you need to:
- prove you have met the minimum sea service requirements
- complete and pass an approved qualification for MFV
- have current ancillary certificates and general radiotelephone operator’s certificate (GROC)
- 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.
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.
1. Do you meet all the requirements?
- You need to check that you meet all of the requirements for this certificate.
2. Do you have the documents we need?
You need to prove that you meet the requirements. Include all of the documents we have asked for with your application form. Use the checklist in the guideline to help you.
Remember we need copies, not the originals.
3. Send us your application by courier or email
There are two options for you to send your application:
- Send your application by email, attaching the scanned documents. The application form has information about the requirements for electronic copies.
- Use a courier to send us your completed application forms, supporting documents.
The addresses are on the application form.
4. Confirmation and/or request sent
We will send you an email or letter to confirm that we have received your application and advise you of any documents we need from you before we can assess your application.
We must receive your payment before we can finalise your application.
5. Assessment and payment of application fee
Once you have sent us all the documents we need, we will assess your application and make a decision.
We will send you an invoice with your reference number and information on how to pay the application fee once we begin the assessment. Please note we cannot release your certificate unless payment has been received.
6. Issue certificate
We will send you:
- your certificate, if your application has been successful, or
- a letter or email explaining why your application was unsuccessful.
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
Calling from outside New Zealand:
+64 4 473 0111
Email:
seafarers@maritimenz.govt.nz
Tell us what you need help with and remember to include your contact details (email address and phone numbers).