SAIMI manages the National Seafarer Development Programme (NSDP), which is currently funded by the National Skills Fund.
It is widely accepted that seafarers are the backbone of any maritime nation as their experience and expertise are a requirement for many functions performed ashore, where they play an important role in maritime administration, planning and policymaking, as well as in areas such as ports management, maritime safety and marine surveying. Efforts to grow the seafarer pool not only enable the crewing of more South-African-flagged vessels, both merchant and government owned (DFFE fleets), but also serve towards an increased source of expertise for the wide range of industry sub-sectors.
The NSDP provides a structured training programme for candidates to obtain their sea-time through agreements with foreign and local shipping companies, enabling them to secure internationally recognised qualifications. During their time aboard a vessel, the seafarers are taught seamanship and safety culture, best practice, discipline and work ethics, practical application of theory learnt at college, and combine experience and research to complete assignments and gain practical ship maintenance experience.
Due to the expansion of the categories of Seafarers that have been identified for training, it has become necessary to create a comprehensive and all-encompassing programme, now referred to as the National Seafarer Development Programme (NSDP).
The NSDP includes all categories of Seafarer Trainees, including Deck & Engineer Cadet trainees, and Deck/Engine/Fishing Rating trainees. Further training programmes may be introduced in the future.
The National Cadet Programme (NCP) is a sub-programme of the NSDP but continues to refer to the training of Deck Cadets and Engineer Cadets only. This will ensure that the NCP retains its unique and special status. The NCP covers the practical training phases required for a Deck or Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency (CoC), as Regulated and Administrated by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), upon final completion of all statutory requirements.
The Deck and Engineer Cadets will qualify with a Certificate of Competency (CoC) as an:
• Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (Deck Cadet):
Final SAMSA/STCW Qualification as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (STCW II/1). Applicable to foreign going vessels and unlimited tonnage ships.
• Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch (Engineer Cadet):
Final SAMSA/STCW Qualification as Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch (STCW III/1). Applicable to foreign going vessels and unlimited horsepower.
THE NSDP CURRENTLY CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING TRAINING PROPGRAMMES:
• Deck Cadet
• Engineer Cadet
• Deck Rating
• Engine Rating
• Fishing Rating
SEAFARER RECRUITMENT AND PLACEMENT SERVICES – CREWING AGENTS
The two accredited training providers, who are providing seafarer training on the NSDP, are the South African Maritime Training Authority (SAMTRA) and Marine Crew Services (MCS). These organisations have been involved in the training of seafarers since the programmes’ inception.
SOUTH AFRICAN MARITIME TRAINING ACADEMY (SAMTRA)
The South African Maritime Training Academy (SAMTRA) is a non-profit company established through donations made by a.p. Moller maersk group as a simulator training facility for the maritime industry.
Situated in Simon’s Town (approximately 50kms from Cape Town), the facility houses bridge, engine room, reefer, ECDIS, GMDSS and Long Range Communications (LRC) simulation equipment respectively acquired from Force Technology, STN Atlas and Poseidon. SAMTRA’s instructors are qualified ex sea-going marine personnel, who have all received intensive training in pedagogy, lecturing and simulation operation to ensure quality course delivery. Real-life, relevant examples are shared to enrich the courses being offered.
Services:
• SAMTRA Training for Cruise Ship.
• Merchant Shipping.
• Super-Yacht Training.
• Oil & Gas Industry Training.
• Cadet Training Programme.
• Onboard Training Programme.
• Custom Training Solutions.
Contact Details:
WEBSITE Telephone: +27 21 786 8400
MARINE CREW SERVICES (MCS)
Africa and South Africa has shown the potential to be a sustainable supplier of high quality, well-trained crew to international clients, particularly those vessels which call at South African ports.
South African seafarers are highly marketable and Marine Crew Services, which has been a leader in the cadet training, training management and crewing solutions of African seafarers for more than a decade, provides crewing and training services to the maritime sector both within and outside the borders of South Africa.
Services:
• Cadet Training.
• Training Management.
• Other Training (Non SA).
• Crewing Opportunities.
• Other Services.
Contact Details:
WEBSITE Telephone: +27 21 786 8400
