Qualifications for international fishing vessels

To be qualified to work as a skipper, officer in charge of a navigational watch, engineer or deck hand on a fishing vessel, you must achieve our standards of competence.

If you want to perform duties and functions in relation to a fishing vessel, you must meet the requirements we have set out in Marine Order 51 (Fishing vessels) 1989 [1]. Schedules 1 to 3 of the marine order specify the minimum requirements for certification depending on the type of seafarer.

In any other case, you must produce evidence of knowledge and experience to our satisfaction and appropriate to the duties to be undertaken.

How to get certified

Section 6 and Schedules 1 to 3 of Marine Order 51 (Fishing vessels) 1989 [1] set out a range of requirements for service on a fishing vessel. These requirements are dependant on the size of the fishing vessel, where it is operating, and the experience and qualifications of the seafarer.

It is important to read Marine Order 51 (Fishing vessels) 1989 [1] to determine what standard of competence is required.

Related information

• Domestic qualifications [2]
• Fishing vessel stability [3]
• Commercial fishing vessels travelling in the exclusive economic zone [4]
• Pollution from fishing vessels [5]
• I am a... commercial fisher [6]