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National code: MAR30921

Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal)

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Overview About this course

Learn to navigate the seas and sail to a career as a master, chief mate or deck watchkeeper. Rise to challenges as you lead a crew on fishing charters, commercial vessels and tourist trips on vessels within Australian coastal waters.

Outcomes What you'll gain

Learning outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

  • Manoeuvre a vessel up to 24 metres within coastal waters

  • Instruct your crew

  • Keep detailed records and log books

  • Plan and navigate a passage for a vessel up to 80 metres

  • Use wheelhouse equipment for safe navigation

Course outcomes

Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.

  • Qualification which meets one of the four requirements to apply for Australian Marine Safety Authority (AMSA) licensing (alongside medical tests, an oral exam and sea time hours)

  • A strong pathway to continue your study and enhance your career opportunities

  • Develop resilience to meet the challenges of life at sea

  • Survival and firefighting skills

Suitability Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

  • You must be able to provide answers to the following questions and evidence of any certifications or licenses you hold:

  • Do you hold a General Purpose Hand qualification or any other Maritime qualification? If so, state your qualification/s held.

  • Are you currently working in the maritime industry?

  • Do you have the required sea-time to obtain the AMSA licence?

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

  • The ability to complete AMSA required seatime for licensing purposes

  • Currently working in the maritime industry

  • Completed the Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal)

  • A love for the open water

  • An intermediate level of fitness and the ability to swim 50 metres and stay afloat for 5 minutes, without a life jacket in work attire

  • An aptitude for sea travel (do not suffer from acute ocean sickness)

  • Your own work clothes, including overalls, protective eyewear, closed work shoes and sun protection for practical sessions

  • Your own clothes for wet drills, including clothes similar to work clothes (no wetsuits or swimmers as per Australian Marine Safety Authority guidelines), a towel, and sun protection

TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.

Pathways Future career and study options

Career pathways

Our graduates go onto roles like: Master on commercial vessels up to 24 metres in length within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Chief mate or deck watchkeeper on vessels up to 35metres and Chief mate or deck watchkeeper on vessels up to 80 metres long in inshore waters

Licensing

The Australian Marine Safety Authority (AMSA) sets specific requirements for each maritime qualification to ensure you are ready to join the industry. Once you graduate from your TAFE NSW course, you will be assessed against the relevant requirements through an AMSA examination process. Once you pass the exam and become certified, you will be able to apply for roles and work in the industry. Graduating from this course only meets part of the AMSA exam criteria. You will need to meet other requirements including minimum age, minimum professional sea time hours and medical and eyesight assessments which need to be arranged by you. Visit AMSA website for more information.

Study pathways

Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

Previous study 1 Course

Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

Further study 1 Course

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

Related study 0 Courses

Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.

The Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal) does not have any related courses.

Your experience counts

At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.

Units Units taught in this course

Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal) qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 15 Units of competency, including 15 core and 0 speciality units.

Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.

Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.

  • Support effective workplace relationships BSBLDR301

  • Provide First Aid HLTAID011

  • Perform routine maintenance on a vessel up to 24 metres MARB029

  • Slip or dock a vessel and maintain hull on a vessel up to 80 metres MARB030

  • ... 4

TAFE NSW services Facilities and support

TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.

  • TAFE NSW Disability Support Service

  • TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support

  • TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)

  • TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service

  • TAFE NSW Libraries

  • Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential

  • Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home

  • LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills

  • Student associations – get social with our student community

Study options Find a location to enrol

Choose from the below study options and locations to discover what works with your lifestyle. Heart your favourites and compare courses.