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Foundation Level

Maritime VHF Operator's Certificate

The minimum legal requirement for operating a Marine VHF radio

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Online, Self Study

Duration15 weeks

LevelFoundation Level

QualificationCoastguard Education Certification

Price$120.00 (includes assessment fee)

Classroom Study

Duration8 hours

LevelFoundation Level

QualificationCoastguard Education Certification

Price$165.00

Aim: To obtain a working knowledge in the use of a marine VHF radio and an EPIRB.

Duration: 30 (notional) hours of learning which includes all planned learning activities, including revision and assessment, which lead toward the achievement of the learning outcomes.

Qualifications: Maritime VHF Operator’s Certificate (MVOC) and NZQA Unit Standard 19491.

Under the Radiocommunications Act 1989, it is a legal requirement that anyone wishing to operate a marine VHF radio holds an appropriate operator’s certificate. For operators of marine VHF radios, the minimum legal operator certification is the Maritime VHF Operator’s Certificate (MVOC).

View a Short Introduction

This course, which aligns with the syllabus specified by Radio Spectrum Management, covers the general features and functions of a marine VHF radio, procedures and operating techniques for routine calling, correct distress and urgency and safety procedures, pro-words and the phonetic alphabet, trip reports, weather services, EPIRBS and more.

In this MVOC course you will learn how to use a marine VHF radio correctly and with confidence: a must in any emergency. And don't forget that marine VHF radios can be used for receiving weather forecasts, safety information, communicating between boats, or communicating boat to shore.

Note: This course does not include the use of either Digital VHF (DSC) or Single Side Band (SSB) radios. If travelling outside New Zealand waters, we recommend the completion of either the Maritime Short Range Operators Certificate course (MSROC – Digital DSC) – required for Europe, or the Maritime Restricted Radiotelephone Operators Certificate (MRROC – SSB) course instead. See the related course information on this website for full details.

You can also purchase this course as a Gift.

Course Options

Online Study165 Westhaven Drive, Westhaven, Auckland

Email

Phone0800 40 80 90

Price$120.00 (includes assessment fee)

Personal Details

Please supply details of the person taking the course. Note: Suburb is optional. If not readily available, the National Student Number must be supplied prior to certificate completion.

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Female

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National Student Number (NSN):

Address:

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Declaration:

I agree to and accept the Coastguard Boating Education Terms & Conditions, inclusive of any Covid vaccination and health and safety requirements.

The online course consists of interactive activities, readings, supplementary resources such as online articles and videos, and knowledge reviews. Your online learning journey is assisted by an online facilitator who is available to answer your queries and offer support while you learn.

The online course content can be successfully engaged with on both Mac and PC desktops and Apple and Android tablets, provided the appropriate web browser is used. The recommended browsers are Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Many course components contain audio, so speakers or headphones are required.

As this course is registered on the NZQA Framework, Coastguard Boating Education will require your National Student Number (NSN) for administration purposes. Please enter it on the booking form (if known) or we can process it for you when the certificate is issued. Information on your NSN can be found here.

Note: The online course and assessment remains available for 15 weeks from the date of your enrolment. If, after this duration, you have not completed the course, you will be automatically un-enrolled.

Timetable of Tutorials

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

Northland

Venue	Date	Contact
Courses starting May 2024 (Northland)
Whangarei Coastguard Marsden Cove 08:30 - 17:00 This one-day course involves some pre-reading material which will be sent to you before the course starts. Last day for registering is Sunday 19 May 2024.	Sat 25th - Sat 25th May	Email: Phone: 0800 40 80 90	$165.00	13 places left
Courses starting November 2024 (Northland)
Whangarei Coastguard Marsden Cove 08:30 - 17:00 This one-day course involves some pre-reading material which will be sent to you before the course starts. Last day for registering is Sunday 27 October 2024.	Sat 2nd - Sat 2nd Nov	Email: Phone: 0800 40 80 90	$165.00	16 places left

Auckland

Venue	Date	Contact
Courses starting May 2024 (Auckland)
Gulf Harbour Yacht Club 08:30 - 17:00 This one-day course involves some pre-reading material which will be sent to you before the course starts. Last day for registering is Tuesday, 30 April 2024.	Sat 4th - Sat 4th May	Email: Phone: 0800 40 80 90	$165.00	10 places left
Richmond Yacht Club 08:30 - 17:00 This course involves some pre-reading material which will be sent to you before the course starts. Last registrations, Thursday 2 May 2024.	Sun 5th - Sun 5th May	Email: Phone: 0800 40 80 90	$165.00	8 places left
Hobsonville Headquarters (De Havilland Room/Baffin Lounge) 08:30 - 17:00 This one-day course involves some pre-reading material which will be sent to you before the course starts. Last day for registering is Wednesday 8 May 2024.	Sat 25th - Sat 25th May	Email: Phone: 0800 40 80 90	$165.00	15 places left
Courses starting July 2024 (Auckland)
Coastguard Boating Education office - Westhaven Marina 08:30 - 17:00 This one-day course involves some pre-reading material which will be sent to you before the course starts. Last day for registering is Thursday, 25 July2024	Sun 28th - Sun 28th Jul	Email: Phone: 0800 40 80 90	$165.00	10 places left
Courses starting October 2024 (Auckland)
Coastguard Boating Education office - Westhaven Marina 08:30 - 17:00 This course involves some pre-reading material which will be sent to you before the course starts. Last registrations, Thursday 10 October 2024	Sun 13th - Sun 13th Oct	Email: Phone: 0800 40 80 90	$165.00	16 places left
Coastguard Boating Education office - Westhaven Marina 17:30 - 21:30 This course will run in the evenings on Monday 21 & Wed 23 October 2024 from 5.30-9.30pm. This course involves some pre-reading material which will be sent to you before the course starts. Last day for registering is Thursday, 17 October 2024.	Mon 21st - Wed 23rd Oct	Email: Phone: 0800 40 80 90	$165.00	16 places left

Waikato / BOP

Venue	Date	Contact
Courses starting June 2024 (Waikato / BOP)
Taupo Bowling Club 08:30 - 17:00 This one-day course involves some pre-reading material which will be sent to you before the course starts. Last day for registering is Sunday 9 June 2024.	Sat 15th - Sat 15th Jun	Email: Phone: 0800 40 80 90	$165.00	15 places left
Courses starting October 2024 (Waikato / BOP)
Rotorua Coastguard 08:30 - 17:00 This course involves some pre-reading material which will be sent to you before the course starts. Last day for registering is Wednesday 16 October 2024.	Sat 19th - Sat 19th Oct	Email: Phone: 0800 40 80 90	$165.00	16 places left

Central North Island

Venue	Date	Contact
Courses starting July 2024 (Central North Island)
Hawke's Bay Coastguard Operations and Education Centre 08:30 - 17:00 This course involves some pre-reading material which will be sent to you before the course starts. Last day for registering is Monday 7 July 2024.	Sun 28th - Sun 28th Jul	Email: Phone: 0800 40 80 90	$165.00	15 places left
Courses starting September 2024 (Central North Island)
Hawke's Bay Coastguard Operations and Education Centre 08:30 - 17:00 This one-day course involves some pre-reading material which will be sent to you before the course starts. Last day for registering is Monday 2 September 2024.	Sat 7th - Sat 7th Sep	Email: Phone: 0800 40 80 90	$165.00	16 places left

Lower North Island

Venue	Date	Contact
Courses starting June 2024 (Lower North Island)
Mana Cruising Club 08:30 - 17:00 This course involves some pre-reading material which will be sent to you before the course starts. Last day for registering is Monday 17 June 2024.	Sun 23rd - Sun 23rd Jun	Email: Phone: 0800 40 80 90	$165.00	16 places left
Courses starting October 2024 (Lower North Island)
Mana Cruising Club 08:30 - 17:00 This course involves some pre-reading material which will be sent to you before the course starts. Last day for registering is Monday 14 October 2024.	Sun 20th - Sun 20th Oct	Email: Phone: 0800 40 80 90	$165.00	16 places left

Upper South Island

Venue	Date	Contact
Courses starting August 2024 (Upper South Island)
Ogilvie-Lee Emergency Operations Centre - Picton 08:30 - 17:00 This one-day course involves some pre-reading material which will be sent to you before the course starts. Last day for registering is Wednesday 7 August 2024	Sat 10th - Sat 10th Aug	Email: Phone: 0800 40 80 90	$165.00	4 places left

Christchurch / Canterbury

Venue	Date	Contact
Courses starting August 2024 (Christchurch / Canterbury)
Sumner Lifeboat Station 08:30 - 17:00 8.30am-5.00pm; last day for registering is Monday 19 August 2024. This course involves some pre-reading material which will be sent to you before the course starts.	Sat 24th - Sat 24th Aug	Email: Phone: 0800 40 80 90	$165.00	14 places left

West Coast

Venue	Date	Contact
Courses starting August 2024 (West Coast)
Westcoast/Buller Coastguard 08:30 - 17:00 8.30am-5.00pm; last day for registering is Monday 5 August 2024. This course involves some pre-reading material which will be sent to you before the course starts.	Sun 11th - Sun 11th Aug	Email: Phone: 0800 40 80 90	$165.00	16 places left

The course was really great and I would have no hesitation in recommending it to others

Harbourmaster

Which course format is right for you?

Online Study

Online and Home study boating courses offer many benefits for those seeking boating education. Firstly, these courses are designed to be studied either online or with a home study booklet so they have great content and illustrations, are interactive and are easy to navigate. You can also 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.

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.

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DISCOUNT CODES

To use your National Coastguard NZ new member discount for $100 off a Day Skipper course, please in put your membership number in the Discount Code field below (e.g. 123456). This discount code may not be used in conjunction with any other offer, and can only be redeemed once.

To use your National Coastguard NZ 15% 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 $100 discount), Boatmaster, Maritime VHF Radio Operator Certificate, Inboard Engine Maintenance, Outboard Engine Maintenance and GPS Operator.

All orders are subject to our terms and conditions