How to Become A Ship Captain South Africa

A ship captain is the leader of an entire vessel, which can range in size from a small yacht to an entire cruise liner.

What is the role of a captain on a ship?

The captain is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the ship‍ including its seaworthiness, safety and security, cargo operations, navigation, crew management, and legal compliance‍ and for the persons and cargo on board.

What are the qualities of a ship captain?

Skills Required

Ship captains must have excellent communication, customer service, administrative and problem-solving skills. They must have the ability to adapt to changing conditions and respond to emergency situations. Ship captains also need to have knowledge of maritime laws and regulations.

What is the crew of a ship called?

They include a Master, First Mate, Second Mate, Bosun, Chief Engineer, Second Engineer, Medical Purser, Cook and Watch Leader. Our Permanent Crew are supported by Bosun’s Mates and a Cooks Assistant who are volunteers.

How to Become A Ship Captain South Africa

Ship Captain: Job Duties and Information About Becoming a Ship Captain

Career Definition of a Ship Captain

Ship captains are in charge of the operations of sea vessels, such as cruise ships, fishing boats, tugboats, freighters, barges or ferry boats. They maintain logs detailing a ship’s course and speed, weather conditions and other factors that influence movement of the ship.

Ship captains also manage a ship’s crew, supervise loading and unloading of either passengers or cargo and may be involved in the hiring of crew members. In many cases, work as a ship captain takes one away from home for extended periods of time.

Educational and Licensing RequirementsHigh school diploma required with opportunities to achieve associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degrees; a captain’s license or other certification may be required
Job SkillsExcellent communication, customer service, administrative and problem-solving skills, knowledge of maritime laws and procedures, and ability to work under pressure
Median Salary (2019)*R 1065568.24(all captains, mates and pilots of water vessels)
Job Outlook (2019-2029)*0% (all captains, mates and pilots of water vessels)

Required Education

A ship captain must possess at least a high school diploma, though associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degrees in marine science or marine engineering are offered by many maritime colleges or academies.

Courses in these degree programs can include management, logistics, navigation and maritime safety and laws. Experience is another route one might take to become a ship captain, such as spending years as a deckhand or officer. Depending on the type of vessel commanded, a captain’s license from the United States Coast Guard may be required.

Skills Required

Ship captains must have excellent communication, customer service, administrative and problem-solving skills. They must have the ability to adapt to changing conditions and respond to emergency situations. Ship captains also need to have knowledge of maritime laws and regulations.

Career and Economic Outlook

According to the S.A. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for captains, mates and pilots of water vessels are projected to show little or no change of 0% from 2019-2029.

This job growth projection is based in part on the expected increase in freight shipping and the increase in tourism via cruise ships; however, most oceangoing cruise ships are headed to international destinations and tend not to employ S.A. workers.

Most job opportunities can be found in coastal areas or those near freshwater ports and docks. According to the BLS, the median salary for captains, mates and pilots was R 1065568.24 .

Below are the general requirements for becoming a ship captain in South Africa

Degree Required

Depending on the position, a bachelor’s degree from a merchant marine academy may be required.

Licensure

Transportation Worker Identification Credential from the South Africa Department of Homeland Security and a Merchant Marine Credential.

Key Responsibilities

Operates non-military vessels; ensures the safety of passengers, the crew, and cargo; oversees loading; commands the ship.

Here are Job Duties and Information About Becoming a Ship Captain in South Africa

Ship captains are in charge of the operations of sea vessels, such as cruise ships, fishing boats, tugboats, freighters, barges or ferry boats.

They maintain logs detailing a ship’s course and speed, weather conditions and other factors that influence movement of the ship

Ship captains also manage a ship’s crew, supervise loading and unloading of either passengers or cargo and may be involved in the hiring of crew members.

In many cases, work as a ship captain takes one away from home for extended periods of time.

What qualifications do you need to be a caregiver?

Most caregivers have at least a high school diploma when starting their career, but it is not required. Much training is done on the job by nurses or other caregivers. The training includes safety information, emergency response, cooking special dietary foods if necessary.

Where can I study maritime in South Africa?

List of maritime schools in south africa

Cape Peninsula University of Technology CPUT Offshore Survival.

List Of Schools and Colleges in South Africa.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology CPUT Maritime Studies.

CPUT Maritime Studies Survival Centre.

NMMU Postgraduate Diploma 0r Certificate Courses Offered.

How much does a Marine pilot earn in South Africa?

R20,649 (ZAR)/yr.

How long is maritime school in South Africa ?

It is a four-year residency course consisting of a three-year academic studies (1st, 2nd and 4th year) and one year shipboard training (3rd year) on board commercial vessels plying the international sea lanes as deck cadets.

Is Marine Engineering expensive?

More than half of the total Marine Engineering colleges in India, i.e. around 54%, are expensive as their fee structure is more than Rs 5 lakh. These colleges are: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Madras), Chennai. International Maritime Institute, Greater Noida.

Is Marine Engineering difficult?

A marine engineer’s job on a ship is challenging as the engine room is a complex mechanical system with a hostile environment. Shipping companies usually offer four to six months of a working contract, depending on the experience and rank of the marine engineer.

What is a marine engineer salary?

A marine engineer can expect to be paid around a R 1085815.04 median salary per year. The average salary can go up if the candidate has an engineering design background and experience. Around 10% of marine engineers earn less than R 624504.74a year, and around 10% make up to R 2043833.70.

How long does it take to become a ship captain?

The S.A Department of Labor Statistics expects the demand for ship captains to go up by 17 percent until 2016, but the competition for cruise ship captain positions will remain competitive. In fact, you may need to finish 4 to 8 years of schooling and obtain decades of experience to qualify.