Next Level

Boatmaster Boatmaster

Extend your knowledge with this comprehensive course.

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Home Study
Duration30 weeks
LevelNext Level
QualificationCoastguard Education Certification
Price$520.00
Classroom Study
Duration30 hours + 2 hour assessment
LevelNext Level
QualificationCoastguard Education Certification
Price$795.00

Aim: To gain detailed boating knowledge. 

Duration: 30 hours (classroom) plus self-study, followed by a written and oral assessment. The home study option for Boatmaster must be completed within 30 weeks.

Qualification: NZ Boatmaster Certificate

Course Requirements: We welcome all domestic learners who are 15 years or older.

A NZ citizen or permanent resident, and an Australian citizen or permanent resident are considered domestic learners. 

We can only accept international learners if:

  • You are employed by a company in New Zealand; and
  • Your work requires you to do the course; and
  • The course is completed within 10 days.

Course Certificates: Learners can expect to receive their certificates up to 4 weeks after they have completed a classroom or home study course with us

Course: The Boatmaster course is a comprehensive course for boaties with some existing knowledge and experience. (Minimum age: 15 years).  The Day Skipper course is a strongly recommended prerequisite.

It applies to a wide range of vessels including yachts, launches, and powerboats.  As part of the pathway of Coastguard Boating Education courses, the material extends your knowledge in chartwork, navigation techniques, distress signals, emergency procedures, knots, rope work, and provides a thorough understanding of the rules of the road at sea.  

The course also uses the completely updated edition of Safety in Small Craft. This is an informative guide and every chapter is packed with new full colour illustrations. 

You will require resources (such as the chartwork plotter) to complete the exam.  Both the Homestudy and Classroom course include the Boatmaster Resource pack which consists of the chartwork plotter, Rules of the Road at Sea and nautical flash cards.

This course is a component of the New Zealand Certificate in Domestic Maritime Operations (Restricted Limits) (Level 4).

Course Options


Timetable of Tutorials

No courses listed or can't find a course that suits? Contact Coastguard Boating Education

Venue
Date
Contact
 
 
Courses starting November 2025 (Northland)
Whangarei Coastguard Marsden Cove
08:30 - 17:00
This course extends your knowledge in chartwork, navigation techniques, distress signals, emergency procedures, knots, rope work, and provides a thorough understanding of the rules of the road at sea. It runs for 2 full weekends, 1 & 2 November and 15 & 16 November 2025. All days will run from 8.30am to 5.00pm. The written exam will be held on the last day of the course. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Monday 27 October 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the exam. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 1st - Sun 16th Nov
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$795.00
14 places left
Venue
Date
Contact
 
 
Courses starting July 2025 (Auckland)
Coastguard Boating Education office - Westhaven Marina
08:30 - 17:00
This course will run for 2 full weekends: 19 & 20 July and 2 & 3 August 2025 at Coastguard Education, Westhaven. All days will run from 8.30am to 5.00pm. The written exam will be held on the last day of the course. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Monday, 14 July 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the exam. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 19th Jul - Sun 3rd Aug
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$795.00
10 places left
Courses starting October 2025 (Auckland)
Coastguard Boating Education office - Westhaven Marina
08:30 - 17:00
This course will run for 2 full weekends: 18 & 19 October and 1 & 2 November 2025 at Coastguard Education, Westhaven. All days will run from 8.30am to 5.00pm. The written exam will be held on the last day of the course. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Monday, 13 October 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the exam. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 18th Oct - Sun 2nd Nov
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$795.00
16 places left
Courses starting November 2025 (Auckland)
Coastguard Boating Education office - Westhaven Marina
08:30 - 17:00
This course will run for 2 full weekends: 22 & 23 November and 6 & 7 December 2025 at Coastguard Education, Westhaven. All days will run from 8.30am to 5.00pm. The written exam will be held on the last day of the course. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Monday, 17 November 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the exam. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 22nd Nov - Sun 7th Dec
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$795.00
15 places left
Venue
Date
Contact
 
 
Courses starting August 2025 (Waikato / BOP)
Tauranga Coastguard
08:30 - 17:00
This course will run for 2 full weekends (8:30am-5.00pm) - 23/24 August & 6/7 September 2025. Oral examinations will be scheduled at a later date. Enrolments for this course close on Monday 18 August 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the exam. These are provided as part of the course. There is limited accessibility at this venue as part of the course is upstairs.
Sat 23rd Aug - Sun 7th Sep
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$795.00
7 places left
Courses starting November 2025 (Waikato / BOP)
Tauranga Coastguard
08:30 - 17:00
This course extends your knowledge in chartwork, navigation techniques, distress signals, emergency procedures, knots, rope work, and provides a thorough understanding of the rules of the road at sea. It runs for 2 full weekends, 1 & 2 November and 15 & 16 November 2025. All days will run from 8.30am to 5.00pm. The written exam will be held on the last day of the course. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Monday 27 October 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the exam. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 1st - Sun 16th Nov
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$795.00
10 places left
Venue
Date
Contact
 
 
Courses starting July 2025 (Central North Island)
Hawkes Bay Coastguard Operations and Education Centre - Napier
08:30 - 17:00
This course will run for 2 full weekends - 26-27 July and 9-10 August 2025 from 8.30am to 5.00pm. The written exam will be held on the last day of the course. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Monday 21 July 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the exam. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 26th Jul - Sun 10th Aug
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$795.00
16 places left
Venue
Date
Contact
 
 
Courses starting July 2025 (Lower North Island)
Mana Cruising Club
08:30 - 17:00
This Boatmaster course will run for 2 full weekends on 19-20 July & 2-3 August 2025 from 8:30am-5pm. Oral examinations will be scheduled at a later date. Enrolments for this course close on Thursday, 10 July 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the exam. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 19th Jul - Sun 3rd Aug
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$795.00
14 places left
Courses starting October 2025 (Lower North Island)
Mana Cruising Club
08:30 - 17:00
This Boatmaster course will run for 2 full weekends on 11-12 & 25-26 October 2025 from 8:30am-5pm. Oral examinations will be scheduled at a later date. Enrolments for this course close on Thursday, 2 October 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the exam. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 11th - Sun 26th Oct
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$795.00
15 places left
Venue
Date
Contact
 
 
Courses starting July 2025 (Upper South Island)
Coastguard Marlborough (Ogilvie-Lee Emergency Operations Centre - Picton)
08:30 - 17:00
This course extends your knowledge in chartwork, navigation techniques, distress signals, emergency procedures, knots, rope work, and provides a thorough understanding of the rules of the road at sea. It runs for 2 full weekends, 26 & 27 July and 9 & 10 August 2025. All days will run from 8.30am to 5.00pm. The written exam will be held on the last day of the course. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Monday 21 July 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the exam. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 26th Jul - Sun 10th Aug
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$795.00
11 places left
Courses starting November 2025 (Upper South Island)
Coastguard Marlborough (Ogilvie-Lee Emergency Operations Centre - Picton)
08:30 - 17:00
Coastguard Marlborough (Ogilvie-Lee Emergency Operations Centre - Picton) 08:30 - 17:00 This course extends your knowledge in chartwork, navigation techniques, distress signals, emergency procedures, knots, rope work, and provides a thorough understanding of the rules of the road at sea. It runs for 2 full weekends, 1 & 2 November and 15 & 16 November 2025. All days will run from 8.30am to 5.00pm. The written exam will be held on the last day of the course. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Monday 27 October 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the exam. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 1st - Sun 16th Nov
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$795.00
12 places left
Venue
Date
Contact
 
 
Courses starting July 2025 (Christchurch / Canterbury)
Coastguard Sumner - Christchurch
08:30 - 17:00
This course will run for 2 full weekends (8:30am-5.00pm) - 5/6 July & 19/20 July. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Monday 30 June 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the assessment. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 5th - Sun 20th Jul
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$795.00
1 places left
Courses starting September 2025 (Christchurch / Canterbury)
Coastguard Sumner - Christchurch
08:30 - 17:00
This course will run for 2 full weekends (8.30am-5.00pm) - 13/14 September & 27/28 September. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Monday 8 September 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the assessment. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 13th - Sun 28th Sep
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$795.00
6 places left
Courses starting November 2025 (Christchurch / Canterbury)
Coastguard Sumner - Christchurch
08:30 - 17:00
This course will run for 2 full weekends (8.30am-5.00pm) - 22/23 November & 6/7 December. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Monday 17 November 2025. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the assessment. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 22nd Nov - Sun 7th Dec
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$795.00
9 places left
Venue
Date
Contact
 
 
Courses starting July 2025 (Lower South Island)
Marakura Yacht Club
08:30 - 17:00
This course will run for 2 full weekends: 5 & 6 July and 19 & 20 July at Marakura Yacht Club. All days will run from 08:30 to 17:00. The written exam will be held on the last day of the course. Individual oral examinations will be scheduled later. Enrolments for this course close on Thursday 19 June. You will require resources (such as the Chart Plotter) to complete the exam. These are provided as part of the course.
Sat 5th - Sun 20th Jul
Email:
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
$795.00
14 places left
Coastguard New Zealand cannot enrol international students due to the NZQA and Immigration New Zealand regulations. If you are not sure about your status as an international student, please email us at info@boatingeducation.org.nz

Price: $520.00 (includes assessment fee)
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
Email:
Office: 165 Westhaven Drive, Westhaven, Auckland

Coastguard can only enrol domestic learners into courses. Domestic learners are those who are NZ citizens, NZ permanent residents and Australian citizens.


International students are not eligible to enrol in our courses.


If you are unsure whether you are eligible, please contact info@boatingeducation.org.nz

took the Day Skipper Classroom course and had a fantastic teacher with plenty of knowledge. I went from not knowing a thing to feeling like I will be safe and competent on the water. Great Course
Day Skipper Course

Which course format is right for you?

Online Study

Online Self-Directed Study: We have 3 online courses; Beginning Boating, Day Skipper and Maritime VHF. These courses are designed to be studied online using your own computer and have great content and illustrations, are interactive and easy to navigate.
Home Study: This is a paper based distance learning option which we mail out to you for you to complete at home. This is currently not online. Both options allow you to study at your own pace giving the flexibility to schedule learning around busy lifestyles and commitments. You can also complete the course in blocks and can come back to it on a weekly basis until it is completed.
VS

Classroom Study

Classroom Courses offer the student the ability to study intensely over a finite period of time (usually a weekend) to complete a boating course. It is a chance to meet up with other like-minded boaties and learn from their experiences. Having an educated teacher with years of boating knowledge enables the student to be taught face-to-face and ask any questions that may come up. 
Virtual Study offers the student the ability to study with a classroom course and tutor but virtually from their own home on their own device. They can interact with the tutor and study at the same pace as the other students in the classroom.
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DISCOUNT CODES

New Member Day Skipper Course $75 discount:
To use your National Coastguard NZ new member discount for $75 off a Day Skipper course, please in put your membership number in the Discount Code field below (e.g. 123456). Do not use CGM in front of the number.  This discount code may not be used in conjunction with any other offer, and can only be redeemed once. 

10% Membership discount:
To use your National Coastguard NZ 10% membership discount on other selected Home Study courses, input "CGM" and your Coastguard membership number (e.g. CGM78091) into the  "Discount Code" field below. This discount code may not be used in conjunction with any other offer. The courses included in this discount offer are: Day Skipper (Not to be used in conjunction with $75 discount), Boatmaster, Maritime VHF Radio Operator Certificate, Inboard Engine Maintenance, Outboard Engine Maintenance and GPS Operator.


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