Marine Training: Tug Master Training

The School of Ports has developed a series of training programmes that are aligned to international standards contained in the Standards for Training and Certification of Watch keepers (STCW). The programmes offered are accredited by SAMSA who issue learners the certificates of competency after final assessment.
To be enrolled on the Tug Master Training program you have to:

• Have a Deck Officer Certificate of Competency or Naval equivalent
• Be employed by Transnet National Ports Authority
• " Pass the selection board for the training at your Port

There are two Tug Master Training programs running per year. The training stretches over a year in which the candidate will do two theoretical phases. The rest of the program is practical, understudying at the port on the type of Tug Boat he/she will be qualifying on as well as on all other smaller craft and VTS.

Each Port has an assigned Mentor who will follow the training closely and during the year of training, the Trainee Tug Master will be assessed 4 times on the progress made according to the goals set out for them to meet during that time. The assessments are done by the mentor together with the Senior Training Officer from the School of Ports. Once qualified as a Tug Master, the candidates will have the opportunity later in their careers to go onto the Pilot Training Program.

Several academic institutions offer certificate and diploma courses in maritime studies. The Durban Institute of Technology in KwaZulu Natal and the Cape Peninsula University offer the National Diploma in Maritime studies.

• National Diploma: Martime Studies or National Diploma : Mechanical (Marine) Engineering
• National Diploma: Martime Studies