Contact Details

South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)
John Phiri(Skills Development Manager)
Tel: 012 - 366 2648
Email: jphiri@samsa.org.za


Cape Peninsula University of Technology (Faculty Office)
Tel: 021 - 460 32 55
Email: thomasjc@cput.ac.za

Granger Bay Campus
Tel: 021 - 440 5752
Email: maritime@cput.ac.za
Tel: 021 - 440 5755
Email: snyderse@cput.ac.za

Durban University of Technology
Department of Maritime Studies
The secretary
Tel: 031 - 373 2144
Email: arshnar@dut.ac.za

 

The Maritime industry is associated with activities on all vessels used at sea and associated land-based services. Routes include oceans, coasts, seas, lakes, rivers and channels.

The Maritime field offers a wide choice of career opportunities, many of which are international by nature. The following is an indication of maritime careers but not limited to:

1. Marine and Ship Engineers – involved with the maintenance of the engine of a ship; responsible for all engineering related needs of a ship. The Cape Peninsula University of Technology and The Durban Institute of Technology offer all required marine engineering subjects at a tertiary level.

2. Crewmember – career can lead from a deck officer to Captain.

3. Deck officers – required to navigate the ship safely and efficiently.

4. Maritime Law – Maritime and fisheries lawyers are concerned with the branch of law that governs international maritime zones and maritime resources. The international law of the sea and the network of conventions that governs navigation, fishing, seabed mining, naval warfare and marine pollution are within the sphere of interest of maritime lawyers.

5. Tug Masters – Captains of tugs are responsible for ships towing other vessels/barges when they are in trouble at sea. They also give guidance to salvage (rescue) work.

6. Marine Pilots – guide ships when entering the harbour/port, as the Master of the ship may not be well versed with the geography of the port.

7. Harbour Masters – responsible for the overall control of the Port – all activities including lighthouses. Vessel trafficking systems, etc.

8. Ship surveyors – conduct inspections and surveys of vessels; checking safety standards and condition of equipment. They carry out these surveys for government, e.g. SAMSA, DoT Agency, for classification societies, cargo owners or underwriters (insurance companies).

9. Maritime Environmentalist (Sea Pollution) – are involved in Management of the environment. Marine biologist and oceanographers look at the prevention of oil spills from ships, check for engine leaks, and how it can be prevented. They endeavour to combat pollution, clean-ups and decide what dispersants could be used and which species are highly vulnerable. They also do risk assessments especially for blast water management in addition they could also do testing and approval of treatment systems and ensure the availability of reception facilities.

Various learnerships through the Transport SETA (TETA) are available and academic studies through various centres of development are offered (refer to institutions of higher learning).

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