Some of the training you will receive includes:
VHF Course
This is a Maritime NZ certified course held over a Saturday in our training room by an experienced Coastguard New Zealand tutor.
Day Skipper Course
This is a Coastguard NZ certified course held over a weekend (Sat & Sun) in our training room by an experienced Coastguard New Zealand tutor.
First Aid and Deep Water Survival Courses
An expert tutor from MediTrain will be upskilling you in these two essential courses held over one day (Sun), both in our training room and out in the water. You will require a wet suit to undertake the practical part of this course.
Boat Handling
Training to develop your practical boat handling skills will take up your other Sundays during the course. You’ll be introduced to our powerful rescue vessels; safety, navigation and radar equipment; harbour regulations, piloting, trip planning and so much more.
Night Navigation
All your training leads to this penultimate experience in your 12th week (Fri or Sat night), when you and your team will be navigating and piloting our rescue vessel in darkness to undertake a specific tasking. Our qualified cadets often tell us that it is an amazing experience they will never forget.
NZQA Credits
The VHF, Day Skipper and First Aid course will earn you NZQA credits on successful completion.
Actions & Consequences
During the cadetship you enter the adult world of actions and consequences. You are trained to think about your actions, decision making and communication pro-cesses and the consequences that may result from them. Cadets need to be able to take instruction without question and work in a team environment. Absentee-ism without a very good reason is not tolerated.
Interested in jumping onboard?
Do you think you could work within the Culture of the Cadetship?
Are you ready for a 12 week commitment to some great fun and challenges?
Are you aged between 15-17 years of age?
Then apply now!
Download instructions here
Testimony from Amelia Warwick, 2023 Cadet
This was an absolutely incredible opportunity that so few teenagers would ever get to do. I really enjoyed learning all the new skills, learning how to drive a boat, learning all the rules and regulations for boating, first aid, skippers and vhf courses. It was action packed both in the classroom and on the water. This experience was definitely one of my biggest highlights of the year and I will always remember this as my first experience driving a boat and gaining so much confidence on the water. My greatest challenge was putting myself out of my comfort zone. This cadetship was my first step towards my goal of working on super yachts. All of the skills I learnt were so relevant for my future on the water. I am very thankful that I was given this incredible opportunity. The first day I got to drive the boat was one of my favourite moments as you just handed over control of the boat and it was such an amazing experience.
Community Partners
The cadetship is made possible by;
Mercury Bay Area School
Waikato Regional Council
All About Whitianga
BOOTS n ALL - Thames
DIVE ZONE - Whitianga
Coastguard NZ
2025 Timetable
Download the timetable here.