Applying for overseas skipper tickets a painstaking process under Maritime New Zealand’s exemption scheme

Maritime New Zealand have a range of requirements before candidates can qualify for tickets across a range of vessel sizes and zones. While these can be easily recognised for people who complete their studies exclusively within New Zealand, things are more complicated for individuals who may have overseas tickets. There is no one-size-fits-all assessment for these cases, but it is open to the individual to appeal to Maritime New Zealand for an exemption under the rules where they can demonstrate there is “no significant increase in risk” through the granting of the exemption. This will often require a painstaking comparative exercise between the individual’s tickets and qualifications, and Maritime New Zealand’s requirements to demonstrate the individual does not present a risk if they are granted the ticket sought. For the Maritime Rules please visit Maritime New Zealand’s website.

If you have specific legal questions relating to Maritime New Zealand certificates of competency, the Rules, or recognising overseas qualifications and tickets in New Zealand, please contact Peter Dawson by email peter@maritimelaw.co.nz; phone +64 27 229 9624 or Troy Stade by email troy@maritimelaw.co.nz ; phone +64 27 368 6730.