A Career at Sea
If you have a sense of adventure, enjoy outdoor life and wish to pursue a career that is not your normal eight-to-five occupation, then a career at sea may be what you are looking for. The Maritime Industry offers careers that have nationally and internationally recognised tertiary qualifications, job satisfaction, a high level of responsibility, good advancement prospects and a wide variety of career opportunities, both at sea and ashore.
Officers, Petty Officers and Ratings man ships of the Merchant Navy, in three departments: Deck (Navigating), Engineering and Catering. Harbour craft are crewed with Officers and Ratings. Training programmes with clearly structured career paths exist for Navigating and Engineering Cadet Officers, and for Ratings. The Officer paths lead to senior Officer status and could eventually realise shore-based management positions. A high level of skill and dedication is required from applicants who must meet certain minimum requirements. The basic requirements for all applicants include a minimum Grade 12 education, physical fitness and the ability to swim.
Entry requirements for Deck Cadet Officers
You need to be physically fit and prove good eyesight, not colour blind with a vision certificate issued by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). Grade 12 with a minimum “D” on Standard Grade in English, Mathematics and a Science subject. You must then apply to enrol for the National Diploma in Maritime Studies at either the Cape Peninsula University of Technology or the Durban University of Technology. Successful completion of S1 and S2 of the Diploma course (one year) will allow you to apply for a cadetship with a ship owner or a port authority. Applications to either of the above learning institutions must be submitted by 30 September to start in the following year. Late applications may be accepted at their discretion.
Entry requirements for Engineering Cadet Officers
You need to be physically fit and have an aptitude for working with machinery. Grade 12 with a minimum “D” on Standard Grade in English, Mathematics and a Science subject. You may then apply to either Durban University of Technology or Cape Peninsula University of Technology, the only tertiary level institutions which offer all required marine engineering subjects. You will need to complete S1 and S2 of this course (one year) before applying to a ship owner to enter a cadetship. You may also complete N5 in Mechanical Engineering at a Technical College before applying to do the Marine Engineering syllabus at either of the learning institutions mentioned above.
Ratings
Entry into one of the three disciplines on board a ship as a trainee Rating requires good physical fitness and no colour blindness, and you must be able to swim. You need to have a Grade 12 certificate showing a pass and good references as to your character. Structured career paths exist and all training courses completed are usually at the ship owner’s cost. Entry into the Catering Department, requires either a completed training course at a hotel school or training will be provided on a ship combined with courses at an approved institution.
Educational Institutions
High schools which offer maritime subjects as part of their curriculum in Grades 10, 11 and 12 are: Simon’s Town High in the Western Cape and New Forest High in Durban.
Addresses :
1. Durban University of Technology, Student Admissions, P.O.Box 953, Durban 4000.
2. Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Student Admissions, P.O.Box 652, Cape Town 8000.
3. Unicorn Training School, 14 Fletcher Road, Maydon Wharf, Durban, 4057
E-mail: gavinl@unicornshipping.co.za; Website: www.unicorntrg.co.za