SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

National Certificate: Marine Pilotage 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
57714  National Certificate: Marine Pilotage 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Maritime Operations 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
TETA - Transport Education and Training Authority  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 11 - Services  Transport, Operations and Logistics 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  123  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 0695/12  2012-07-01  2015-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2016-06-30   2019-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

The qualifying learner will ensure the safe and efficient passage of vessels entering, sailing from and shifting within the port operation area. The competencies achieved through this qualification will be applied at all compulsory Pilotage ports in South Africa to international practice and Harbour regulations.

This qualification is aimed at learners that are in possession of a relevant undergraduate qualification and those with relevant experience as deck officers in deep sea. It will ensure that Marine Pilots are qualified and provide a professional service after the prescribed practical experience.

The learner assessed as competent against this qualification will be able to:
  • Communicate with all role-players to ensure optimal resource use to perform pilotage.
  • Apply marine pilotage knowledge to pilot a vessel or a tow into port.
  • Embark and disembark a vessel and perform pilotage or tow operation.
  • Apply skills, knowledge and attitudes of management to pilot a vessel or tow within port limits.

    Rationale:

    This unit standards based qualification will address the need for education and training of Marine Pilots in South Africa as there is no recognised National qualification currently. It will ensure compliance with international standard practice and Harbour regulations. In the past, the nature of the profession did not allow, nor promote, access to this area of economic activity. This qualification will entrench open-access to a career as a Marine Pilot.

    To date, Maritime Pilots have been trained at Maritime Pilot Institute, Rotterdam. Marine Pilots for the South African market have always been trained at this institution in the Netherlands. This qualification will provide the National Ports Authority (NPA) of South Africa, the custodian of Maritime Training, the opportunity to offer this learning intervention for the first time. This will ensure that the NPA meets its strategic objective to facilitate the training of Marine Pilots in South Africa.

    The Marine Pilot's specialist function is to safely handle the movement of all vessels within the harbour. This makes them key to the supply chain of the country and will therefore contribute to the economy as well. It will also address the perception of maintaining standards in the industry. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is compulsory for learners wishing to access this Qualification to be competent in:
  • Communication at NQF level 4 or equivalent.
  • Mathematics at NQF level 4 or equivalent.
  • Physical Science at NQF level 4 or equivalent.

    Recognition of prior learning

    This Qualification and all the fundamental, core and elective Unit Standards associated with it, as described in the rules of combination, can be achieved by any learner through the recognition of prior learning, which includes learning outcomes achieved through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. The exit-level outcomes and the related Unit Standards may also be achieved through the recognition of prior learning.

    Access to the qualification

    The learner should satisfy the competent pilotage authority's requirements that his/her medical fitness, particularly regarding eyesight, hearing and physical fitness meets the standards required for certification of masters and officers in charge of a navigational watch under the international Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 1995) or as the relevant authorities consider appropriate. Learners must be qualified Deck officer STCW 95 (Valid Class 3) or equivalent. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualifying learner will achieve this Qualification by complying with the following rules of combination for the accumulation of credits:

    Learning Component
  • All Fundamental Unit Standards: 21 credits.
  • All Core Unit Standards: 92 credits.
  • Elective Unit Standards: 10 credits.
    Total credits: 123. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Communicate with all role-players to ensure optimal resource use to perform pilotage.
    2. Apply marine pilotage knowledge to pilot a vessel or a tow into port.
    3. Embark and disembark a vessel and perform pilotage or tow operation.
    4. Apply skills, knowledge and attitudes of management to pilot a vessel or tow within port limits. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.
  • Pre-pilotage information and data is selected, prioritised and communicated to all role-players throughout the pilotage operation in accordance with standing operational procedures.
  • The pilotage operation and incidents/accidents are recorded and reported in terms of standing operating procedures and Corrective Action Report procedures.
  • Principles and limitations of human performance are explained in relation to bridge team management.
  • Principles of leadership and team dynamics is explained in relation to bridge team management.
  • A stress management plan is designed to maximise optimal stress levels in order to reduce negative stress during pilotage operation.

    2.
  • International and National marine regulations, codes and rules are applied in relation to piloting a vessel or a tow into port.
  • Hydrodynamic components that impact on piloting a vessel is countered to maintain vessel manoeuvrability and directional stability.
  • Impact of longitudinal and transverse stability is demonstrated in terms of piloting a vessel or a tow into port.
  • Port rules and MARPOL guidelines are applied in relation to marine environmental risk in the port.

    3.
  • Local port characteristics, conditions and procedures are explained in relation to the pilotage area and port rules.
  • Pilot boarding requirements are communicated and the vessel is positioned for embarkation and disembarkation in accordance with the International Maritime Pilots Association.
  • Pilot embarkation and disembarkation is demonstrated in relation to pilot boat and helicopter in terms of safety and security procedures.
  • A vessel is piloted and manoeuvred in approaches to the port, within the harbour and in confined waters according to the pilotage plan.
  • Emergency, contingency and pollution prevention plans and procedures (including reporting) are explained in relation to the specific port.
  • The piloted vessel is moored in terms of the mooring plan.
  • A tow is connected and piloted into a port through optimum use of harbour tugs in accordance with the pilotage plan.
  • Pilotage information and electronic data is acquired, interpreted and communicated in relation to (VTS) Vessel Traffic Control remote pilotage operation.

    4.
  • Risk, time and information is managed to make decisions to achieve the pilotage plan.
  • Internal quality audit data and customer satisfaction levels are monitored to ensure continuous improvement of pilotage service.
  • Team building principles and processes are applied in leading and building a team to achieve the pilotage plan.
  • The budget needs of a business unit is analysed and a proposed budget is presented and justified according to organisational procedures.

    Integrated assessment

    Integrated assessment at the level of the Qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they are able to integrate concepts, ideas and actions across Unit Standards to achieve competence that is grounded and coherent in relation to the purpose of the Qualification. Integrated assessment should show how already demonstrated competence in individual areas can be linked and applied for the achievement of a holistic outcome as described in the exit level outcomes.

    Integrated assessment must judge the quality of the observable performance, and also the quality of the thinking that lies behind it. Assessment tools must encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpin their demonstrated performance. Some assessment practices will demand practical evidence while others may be more theoretical, depending on the type of outcomes to be assessed. The ratio between action and interpretation is not fixed, but varies according to the demands of the particular exit level outcome of the Qualification.

    While the generic components of this Qualification at NQF Level 5 can be assessed through occupational contexts and activities relating to Marine Pilotage, care must be taken in both the learning programme and the assessment to ensure that these foundational skills are portable. The primary aim of this Qualification is to ensure that learners have a sound knowledge and skills base to prepare them for further learning, whatever career path they may choose. Learners must be able to transfer generic skills across a number of different contexts, and apply them within a number of learning areas.

    A broad range of task-orientated and theoretical assessment tools may be used, with the distinction between practical knowledge and disciplinary knowledge maintained so that each takes its rightful place. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This National Certificate in Marine Pilotage was compared with qualifications for the same purpose from various countries. These countries include those considered world leaders in Marine Operations. This research undertook to identify similarities and differences of Marine Pilot training in the relevant countries. The extent of this comparison covered the duration and depth of study and practice required to achieve competence. The integrated purpose of the qualifications as well as the units of competence and assessment statements was examined.

    This National Certificate in Marine Pilotage has been benchmarked against International best practice from the following countries:
  • Australia.
  • New Zealand.
  • United Kingdom.
  • Holland.
  • Namibia.
  • Turkey.
  • United States of America.

    In Australia there are numerous qualifications in the Maritime Operations learning pathway, ranging from Certificates to Advanced Diplomas. However, no qualifications were found to cater for the training of Marine Pilots. The following units of competency relate to the National Certificate in Marine Pilotage.
  • Control trim, stability and stress.
  • Maintain the stability of a vessel using basic stability information.
  • Manage stress and dynamic factors affecting a small vessel's stability.
  • Apply regulations when operating a small vessel.
  • Monitor compliance with legislative requirements and measures to ensure safety of life at sea.
  • Plan and navigate a short voyage within inshore limits.
  • Contribute to effective human relationships on board a vessel.
  • Assist in mooring and anchor handling activities.

    Similarly, in New Zealand there are a number of qualifications in the Maritime Sub-field, however, no dedicated Marine Pilotage qualification was located. The following unit standards from the navigation and seamanship domain relate to the National Certificate in Marine Pilotage.
  • Determine the effects of weather and sea state on the safety of the passage.
  • Coordinate and monitor mooring, berthing and anchorage operations.
  • Implement collision avoidance procedures.
  • Maintain marine environmental regulatory compliance during operations.
  • Maintain navigational charge of ship.
  • Navigate in confined waters.
  • Plan ship's passage.
  • Maintain safe and efficient pilotage.
  • Manoeuvre the ship during specific operations.

    In the United Kingdom private institutions offer National Vocational Qualifications in Marine Operations. The level 4 NVQ in Marine Vessel Operations reflects the following components (mandatory and optional) that relate to the National Certificate in Marine Pilotage:
  • Control Navigation and Ship-handling in All Conditions.
  • Support the Efficient Use of Resources.
  • Communicate Using Equipment and Visual Means (ROC).
  • Manoeuvre a Small Vessel in the Near Coastal Area.
  • Control the Mooring, Anchoring and the Security of the Vessel.
  • Plan and Execute the Voyage for a Near Coastal Area.
  • Manoeuvre a Small Vessel in the Near Coastal Area.

    Pilotage training in Turkey is currently carried out using classical methods. Pilots are trained by experienced pilots. This system works quite well; however, this approach does not take advantage of the benefits of modern technical equipment, such as ship bridge simulators, that could improve the training efficiency.

    In the United States of America, Boston for example, pilots are required to hold the highest professional maritime license endorsement (Oceans Unlimited Master) these mariners are the most highly skilled and trained mariners in the port.

    As was the case in South Africa, in many African countries, the training of Marine Pilots is outsourced to Europe. In designing this qualification in pilotage, research was also done with our counter parts such as Namibia. They are considering recruiting Class III learners and modelling their training against South Africa.

    The qualification found to be the most comparable to this one is the Training and Education of Marine Pilots in the Netherlands. Initially, the National Ports Authority of South Africa sent all trainee pilots on the Apprentice Pilot Training programme, Safeway Maritime, Rotterdam. The comparison is detailed in the table below:

    These learning interventions are of the same duration in terms of both, theoretical and practical components. The duration is 52 weeks and 1200 notional hours of learning for the average learner. The three phases of the Dutch qualification closely resembles the content covered in many of the fundamental and core unit standards of the South African qualification.

    The shaded area of the table below indicates the similarity between the compared qualifications for the training of Marine pilots. The elements of learning that are similar are also numbered in the table. This indicates that seven of the nine learning areas reveal a close similarity. The clear areas indicate a difference in the training content.
  • Rotterdam, Netherlands

    Apprentice Pilot Training - 52 weeks
  • Phase 1: 12 weeks
    1. Maritime English (SMCP) General communication procedures.
    3. General regulations on maritime traffic.
    4. Tides and hydrographic conditions.
    5. Theoretical Manoeuvring.
    6. Practical manoeuvring.
    7. Radar Simulation.
  • Personal Safety training.
  • Buoyage Systems.
  • Phase 2: 8 weeks
    1. Communication skills.
    2. Bridge resource management.
    3. General regulations of interest to pilots.
    7. Radar Simulation.
  • Understanding the problem solving process.
  • Management of Dutch Pilotage organisation.
  • Phase 3: 32 weeks
    1. Regional communication procedures.
    3. Regional Regulations of Maritime traffic and piloting.
    4.Topographical knowledge Tidal conditions Practical visits.
    6. Practical navigation and manoeuvring in the designated area.

    South Africa

    National Certificate: Marine Pilotage: 120 credits.
    Unit standards

    1. Communicate with role-players to perform pilotage, 8 credits.
    2. Manage bridge resources, 8 credits.
    3. Apply local, national and international codes, regulation and statutory reporting, 8 credits.
    4. Apply knowledge of Hydrodynamics in pilotage, 15 credits.
    5.Understand the principles of ship stability in relation to piloting a vessel, 10 credits.
    6.
  • Pilot a tow into port, 10 credits.
  • Embark and disembark a vessel by helicopter or using a pilot ladder, 24 credits.
  • Pilot a vessel within port limits, 10 credits.
    7. Conduct VTS remote pilotage, 10 credits.
  • Provide support to manage marine environmental risk in the port, 5 credits.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of stress in order to apply strategies to achieve optimal stress levels in personal and work situations, 5 credits. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The possibility exists for vertical articulation with this Qualification. The following proposed qualifications serve as examples of vertical articulation:
  • National Diploma: Transportation Management at NQF level 6 (NLRD ID 983).
  • National Diploma: Transport Economics at NQF level 6 (NLRD ID 919).

    Examples of horizontal articulation with this Qualification:
  • National Certificate: Incident Management at NQF level 5 (NLRD ID 49398).
  • National Certificate: Transportation Management at NQF level 5 (NLRD ID 1187). 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Qualification must be accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • External Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA at its discretion.
  • The accredited Training Provider will oversee internal Moderation of assessment.
  • Moderation should encompass achievement of competence described in both individual Unit Standards as well as the integrated competence described in the Qualification.
  • Moderation must also encompass achievement of the competencies described in the exit level outcomes described above. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
  • Assessors must be registered as assessors with a relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessors must be in possession of a Pilotage Open Licence with three years experience or a related qualification in Maritime Operations at a minimum of NQF level 6. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  242838  Apply knowledge of hydrodynamics in pilotage  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  15 
    Core  242843  Apply the principles of ship stability in relation to piloting a vessel  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
    Core  242847  Conduct Vessel Traffic System remote pilotage  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
    Core  242837  Embark and disembark a vessel for the purposes of marine pilotage  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
    Core  242848  Manage bridge resources  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
    Core  242849  Pilot a tow into port  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
    Core  242841  Pilot a vessel within port limits  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  24 
    Core  242845  Provide support to manage marine environmental risk in the port  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
    Fundamental  242846  Apply regulations, codes and statutory reporting in marine pilotage  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
    Fundamental  242844  Communicate with role players to perform pilotage  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
    Fundamental  15096  Demonstrate an understanding of stress in order to apply strategies to achieve optimal stress levels in personal and work situations  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
    Elective  242810  Manage Expenditure against a budget  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Elective  15234  Apply efficient time management to the work of a department/division/section  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  4 
    Elective  15237  Build teams to meet set goals and objectives  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  3 
    Elective  115823  Gather and manage information for decision-making  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
    Elective  115833  Monitor, assess and manage risk  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  6 
    Elective  13237  Optimise the quality assurance system  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  6 


    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.