Bachelor of Nautical Science

Purpose

The outcomes of this qualification are intended to widen the scope of employment opportunities, qualifying learners, in both the offshore (sea-going) and land-based maritime industries.

It has a strong professional or career focus and underpins advancement into internationally recognised certificates of competency, widening access to employment opportunities globally, i.e. holders of this qualification shall be adequately prepared to enter this specific niche area in the national and international maritime labour market.

The purpose of this qualification is to equip qualifying learners with the necessary knowledge, understanding, skills and abilities to, not only, become competent navigating/deck officers at sea, but to also create opportunities for personal intellectual growth ashore.

Rationale

In terms of Government's Operation Phakisa initiative, which aims to tap into the Ocean (Blue) Economy, the introduction of the Bachelor of Nautical Science intends to address the critical skills shortage in the country and will provide access to learners in this critical contemporary discipline.

There is a current, global shortfall of 16,500 (2.1%) shipboard officers to service the world merchant fleet. This shortage is predicted to increase to Significantly in the future.

Given that in excess of 90% of intercontinental trade is done via merchant shipping, it is of vital importance that South Africa positions itself to become an integral part of the supply of seafaring officers globally, in a bid to keep global trade alive. Upon successful completion, qualifying learners shall virtually be guaranteed employment in an immense, ever expanding global shipping industry, reversing the high levels of unemployment.

The qualification shall assist qualifying learners to become technically proficient and to make a positive contribution to the South African economy, by earning lucrative, tax-free foreign currency. It shall also assist with the country's National Skills Development agenda by developing scarce skills, creating offshore and land-based employment opportunities and reversing unemployment.

This qualification will benefit the global vessel owners with well educated, highly skilled, English speaking (lingua-franca of the sea) learners. Qualifying learners shall also be more easily absorbed ashore.

It is envisaged that this qualification shall focus on career development addressing the shortage of critical and scarce skills nationally and internationally. In addition, it will provide an articulation path to postgraduate (B Hons, Master and Doctoral) studies and create research opportunities in the maritime industry, in line with the tenets of Operation Phakisa.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• RPL is about granting status to an individual based on their prior leaning, either for access, advanced standing or a combination of the two.

RPL for Access

• This refers to learners who do not meet the minimum, formal requirements for entry into this qualification. Access is then determined by an assessment, using the workplace based learning and knowledge, to evaluate for equivalence to the entry requirements of the programme.

RPL for Advanced Standing

• This refers to instances in which candidates may be exempted from one or more components of the qualification, e.g. a subject or module.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) with English, Mathematics and Physical Science.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational at Level 4 with English, Mathematics and Physical Science.

Or

• N-Courses (TVET) with Mathematics and Physical Science.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 540 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5: 92 Credits

• Collision Regulations and IALA Buoyage 1A, 3 Credits.
• Computer Skills 1, 3 Credits.
• Electronic Navigation Systems 1A, 3 Credits.
• Marine Law and Shipping Practice 1A, 3 Credits.
• Marine Mathematics 1, 8 Credits.
• Marine Science 1, 8 Credits.
• Maritime Communication & Signals, 3 Credits.
• Navigation 1A, 8 Credits.
• Sea Transport 1A, 5 Credits.
• Chartwork 1, 8 Credits.
• Collision Regulations and IALA Buoyage 1B, 3 Credits.
• Electronic Navigation Systems 1B, 9 Credits.
• Marine Meteorology 1, 3 Credits.
• Marine Law and Shipping Practice 1B, 3 Credits.
• Naval Architecture 1, 8 Credits.
• Navigation 1B, 8 Credits.
• Seamanship and Safety, 3 Credits.
• Sea Transport 1B, 3 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6: 128 Credits

• Electronic Navigation Systems 2A,12 Credits.
• Marine Law and Shipping Practice 2A,12 Credits.
• Marine Meteorology 2, 6 Credits.
• Naval Architecture 2A,12 Credits.
• Navigation 2A,12 Credits.
• Sea Transport 2, 8 Credits.
• Gyroscopic and Magnetic Compass, 9 Credits.
• Marine Engineering Knowledge for Deck Officers,12 Credits.
• Marine Law and Shipping Practice 2B, 9 Credits.
• Naval Architecture 2B,12 Credits.
• Navigation 2B,12 Credits.
• Passage Planning,12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 140 Credits

• Research Methodology 3A, 24 Credits.
• Shipping Management 3A, 24 Credits.
• Shipping Project 3A, 24 Credits.
• Shipping Management 3B, 34 Credits.
• Research Methodology 3B, 34 Credits.

1. Systematically diagnose and solve broadly defined shipping problems by applying sound nautical science principles.
2. Use appropriate appropriate shipboard technologies and equipment, including information technology, with a thorough understanding of their limitations.
3. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with shipboard, shore-based and port authority staff.
4. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of shipboard management principles in relation to the safety of the vessel and its crew.
5. Engage in independent, life-long learning and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) through well-developed learning skills.
6. Comprehend and apply ethical principles by committing to professional ethics, responsibilities and the norms of shipping practice.
7. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the impact of shipping on society, economy, maritime and related industries and the physical environment (atmospheric and oceanographic).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Analyse, define the shipping problem and criteria for acceptable solutions.
• Generate and formulate possible approaches, which may lead to a workable solution for a problem.
• Evaluate possible solutions and select the best solution.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Assess the method, skill or tool for applicability or limitations against the required results.
• Apply the method, skill or tool correctly to achieve the required results.
• Create, select and use computer applications as required by the discipline, e.g. ship stability and lay time calculations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Use appropriate structure, style and language of oral and verbal communication for the purpose of the communication and the target audience, e.g. Maritime English.
• Use graphics that are appropriate and effective in enhancing the meaning of the text, e.g. in shipboard safety applications.
• Fluently deliver oral communication, with the intended meaning being apparent.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Explain the principles of planning, organising, leading/executing and controlling, e.g. in passage planning.
• Carry out individual work effectively, strategically and on time.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Manage autonomously and ethically learning tasks, individually and in a small group, are managed autonomously and ethically.
• Reflect upon learning undertaken, and own learning requirements and strategies.
• Apply knowledge acquired outside of formal instruction.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Describe the nature and complexity of ethical dilemmas, e.g. dealing with refugees found stranded at sea.
• Apply ethical reasoning, to evaluate shipping solutions.
• Maintain continued competence (CPD), through keeping abreast of up-to-date tools and techniques, available in the workplace.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Explain the impact of technology, in terms of the limitations and benefits to society.
• Explain shipping activity, in terms of the impact on occupational and public health and safety.
• Take into consideration personal, economic, social, cultural values and requirements for those who are affected by shipping activity.

Integrated Assessment

Quality assessment is central to credibility of the qualification and the recognition of learner achievement. The institution shall ensure credibility in assessment through the application clear and rigorous procedures and practices, in keeping with the principles of fairness, validity, reliability and practicability.

In this regard, learning and assessment should be integrated. Continual formative assessments in the form of, among others, class tests, assignments and practical projects, shall be administered in order to provide feedback to learners on their progress in the achievement of specific learning outcomes.

Summative assessment is associated with the judgment of learning in relation to the exit-level outcomes of the qualification. Such judgment shall include integrated assessment which shall measure the learner' ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are represented by the exit level outcomes as a whole. The final summative assessment is done by writing a South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) approved examination.