A degree is required.
A bachelor’s degree from a merchant marine academy may be necessary depending on the employment.
South Africa Department of Homeland Security Licensure Transportation Worker Identification Credential and Merchant Marine Credential
Principal Responsibilities
Operates non-military vessels; guarantees passenger, crew, and cargo safety; supervises loading; and controls the ship.
Here are the Job Duties and Requirements for Becoming a Marine Pilot I in South Africa.
Ship captains command sea vessels such as cruise ships, fishing boats, tugboats, freighters, barges, or ferry boats.
They keep journals that document a ship’s route and speed, as well as weather conditions and other elements that impact the ship’s movement.
Ship captains also supervise the loading and unloading of passengers or cargo and may be engaged in the recruiting of crew members.
Work as a ship captain frequently takes one away from home for lengthy periods of time.
The roles and significance of a marine pilot are detailed below.
While the ship’s captain is in charge of navigating the ship in the water, when the situation becomes risky or there is any situation that requires greater skill in ship manoeuvring, the ship pilot advises the captain on what route to take and what changes need to be made during the ship’s routine manoeuvring while entering or leaving a port.
When the size of the ship is considered, the pilot’s function becomes even more important. Ships that transport cargo or serve as oil tankers require the expertise of pilots since they are large and difficult to manoeuvre.
The size of the ship necessitates the presence of a pilot capable of navigating the ship safely and without incident. Marine vocations, such as those of a marine pilot, also contribute to the preservation of marine species and ecosystem.
If the entrance to a specific port is very narrow, the pilot must be engaged since it is the pilot’s responsibility to guarantee that the boat or ship passes through the tight gateway without mishap.
Keeping all of the above issues in mind, the marine pilot is consequently employed locally. The fact that the pilot is local assures that he is familiar with the sea region and can therefore properly lead the ship.
