Compass New Zealand is independent and is not affiliated with, approved by, or endorsed by Coastguard Boating Education, Maritime New Zealand, Radio Spectrum Management, or MetService. It does not award Day Skipper, Boatmaster, MVOC, or NZQA certification.

Compass New Zealand

Compass New Zealand study companion

New Zealand Maritime VHF Study Companion

Direct answer

Independent MVOC-aligned VHF knowledge and spoken-call practice with DSC and SSB explicitly excluded from the product. Compass provides independent knowledge preparation only. It does not administer an official examination, award certification, demonstrate practical competence, or replace current instructions from an authorized provider or authority. This MVOC companion does not teach DSC or SSB operation and does not issue an operator certificate or NZQA unit standard.

Price
$29.99 once
Course size
8 modules
Access
Lifetime access
Format
Independent online study companion
Preview the free module

Product tour

Try the revision loop here

This is a working, course-specific sample. Read one rule, answer a real-style question, flip a recall card, and see how the next action is chosen.

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Distress voice procedure within MVOC scope

One rule, explained clearly

The New Zealand Maritime VHF pathway builds disciplined voice procedure: listen first, select the correct channel, use the vessel's identity, state position and distress clearly, and keep the message concise. This companion does not teach DSC or SSB operation as part of MVOC; those functions require the appropriate official pathway.

Course route

Learn the knowledge, then take it afloat with an instructor

1Free

MVOC Boundary, Equipment, and Range

The legal certificate boundary, VHF set and aerial, simplex and duplex concepts, line-of-sight range, power, installation awareness, callsigns, and equipment checks.

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2Full access

Channels, Listening, and Discipline

Channel 16, working and local channels, coast and harbour services, calling then moving, listening watch, brevity, interference, and current local information.

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3Full access

Phonetics, Procedure Words, and Routine Calls

ITU phonetic alphabet, figures, callsigns, station identification, procedure words, readability, routine call structure, and correcting errors.

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4Full access

Trip Reports, Weather, and Safety Information

Trip reports, coast communications, weather forecasts, navigation and safety information, radio checks, overdue actions, and separating broadcast information from a complete passage plan.

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5Full access

Distress Calls

Recognizing distress, Channel 16 voice procedure, MAYDAY structure, identity, position, nature, assistance, persons aboard, acknowledgement awareness, silence, relay context, and false-alert response.

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6Full access

Urgency Calls

Urgency threshold, PAN PAN voice procedure, medical and mechanical urgency, station addressing, position and assistance, and escalation if the situation becomes distress.

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7Full access

Safety Calls

Safety signal, navigation and weather warnings, all-stations addressing, moving detailed traffic where directed, information accuracy, and the difference between a safety message and distress or urgency.

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8Full access

EPIRBs and Verbal-Call Practice

EPIRB purpose, registration, testing, mounting and activation awareness, radio-versus-beacon roles, structured verbal rehearsal, self-checking, and the official assessment boundary.

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What the companion includes

Clear knowledge and practical boundaries

  • Original lessons and explanations
  • At least 18 explained questions and 12 flashcards per module
  • Three 40-question mixed knowledge assessments
  • New Zealand terminology, jurisdiction, and primary-source context
  • Practical-awareness prompts clearly separated from assessed knowledge

Not included

  • A Coastguard Boating Education, Maritime NZ, or NZQA certificate
  • Instructor-observed practical assessment or official oral examination
  • DSC or SSB within the current MVOC learning route
  • Copied manuals, charts, examination questions, or official diagrams
  • A substitute for current Part 91, bylaws, notices, or instructor guidance

Editorial record

Primary-source review

Original content is reviewed against current New Zealand course outcomes, maritime rules, radio guidance, and weather sources. Regional bylaws and current notices must be checked separately.