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: 

Occupational Certificate: Aids to Navigation Technician 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112825  Occupational Certificate: Aids to Navigation Technician 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner-TETA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 11 - Services  Transport, Operations and Logistics 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  55  Not Applicable  NQF Level 04  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 EXCO 0425/24  2019-12-05  2025-12-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-30   2029-12-30  

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 purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as an Aids to Navigation (AtoN) Technician. The AtoN Technician installs, commissions, maintains and repairs infrastructure and equipment.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Install and commission AtoN equipment and infrastructure.
  • Maintain and repair AtoN.
  • Execute hazard identification and risk assessment duties and contingency plans.

    Rationale:
    Regulation 13 of the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) Convention of Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter V requires signatory countries to establish such Aids to Navigation as the volume of vessel traffic, and degree of risk justifies. Regulation 13 further establishes that signatory countries need to take into account international guidelines and recommendations.

    The need for the qualification is to comply with the standards relating to the training and certification of Aids to Navigation personnel specifically the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authority's (IALA) Model courses on the training of Aids to Navigation Technicians. Learners within the broad engineering environment will be competent in the installation, commissioning, operating, and maintenance of Aids to Navigation equipment and systems. The qualification resides within the maritime industry and covers aspects of electrical, mechanical and civil engineering technology. One of the benefits of this qualification will be that the learners recognised as a qualified and competent Aids to Navigation Technician. By preventing marine accidents through the safe passage of vessels, it will also ensure the safety of life at sea and the protection of the marine environment and the economy. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of results or by certifying a work experience record.

    RPL for access to the qualification:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Level 3 with Mathematics and English Communication. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skills and Work Experience Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 718909-000-00, Maritime Organisations and Law of the Sea, Level 4, 1 Credit.
  • 718909-000-00, Nautical and Navigational Theory, Level 4, 2 Credits.
  • 718909-000-00, Basic Principles of AtoN Provision, Design and Management, Level 4, 1 Credit.
  • 718909-000-00, Aids to Repairs, Navigation, Maintenance, and Repairs, Level 4, 1 Credit.
  • 718909-000-00, Electrical Fault Finding and Diagnostics, Level 4, 2 Credits.
  • 718909-000-00, Aids to Navigation Concepts, Level 4, 4 Credits.
  • 718909-000-00, Introduction to Power Supplies, Level 4, 2 Credits.
  • 718909-000-00, Sound Signals, E-Navigation, Remote Monitoring and Control, Marine Lights, Level 4, 2 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 15 Credits.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 718909-000-00, Install and Commission AtoN Equipment and Infrastructure, Level 4, 10 Credits.
  • 718909-000-00, Maintain and Repair AtoN Equipment and Infrastructure, Level 4, 5 Credits.
  • 718909-000-00, Execute Security Duties and Contingency Plans, Level 4, 1 Credit.
    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 16 Credits.

    Work Experience Modules:
  • 718909-000-00, Policies and Procedures to Install and Commission AtoN Equipment and Infrastructure, 18 Credits.
  • 718909-000-00, Standard Operating Procedures on Maintenance Repair of AtoN Equipment and Infrastructure, 5 Credits.
  • 718909-000-00, Guidelines of Risk Assessment and Implementing Contingency Plans, 1 Credit.
    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Install, commission and maintain Aids to Navigation (AtoN) equipment and infrastructure in line with international and national legislative and regulatory requirements.
    2. Execute hazard identification and risk assessment duties within the AtoN infrastructure. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Execute maintenance schedule.
  • Follow fault finding steps, make and repairs.
  • Replace equipment.
  • Installed equipment, tested and commissioned.
  • Monitor post-implementation performance.
  • Carry out remedial action if and when required.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Provide support with the identification of potential hazards and risks.
  • Address the outcomes of risk assessments and implement contingency plans.
  • Perform AtoN operations duties against national and international safety standards.
  • Monitor and control area of accountability.
  • Identify and institute mitigating measures to alleviate risk.
  • Results are recorded and communicated to relevant stakeholders.

    Integrated formative assessment:
    The skills development providers will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

    Integrated summative assessment:
    The relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner must conduct an external integrated summative assessment before issuing this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    AtoN Technician is a globally regulated discipline through international maritime guidelines. This qualification utilises internationally recognised best practice and standards in AtoN Management. Reference made to the international standards:
  • International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Guideline 1100: AtoN Training and Accreditation, and
  • World-Wide Academy (WWA) Recommendation E.141/2, Model Course Level 2 AtoN, Technician Training and the relevant IALA Module Courses as published by the IALA WWA.
    This model course is intended to provide national members and other appropriate authorities charged with the provision of AtoN services with an overview and specific guidance on the training of AtoN Technicians.

    United Kingdom:
    1. 600/2483/5, City & Guilds Diploma in Engineering - Military Marine and Air Engineering, Level 2, 295 Guided Learning Hours (GLH), 420 Total Qualification Time (TQT), 42 Credits.
    2. 600/2304/1, City & Guilds, Certificate in Marine Construction, Systems Engineering and Maintenance, Level 2, 280 GLH, 320 TQT, 32 Credits.
    3. 600/0509/9, Pearson Edexcel NVQ Diploma in Marine Engineering, Level 2, 576 GLH, 590 TQT, 59 Credits.
    4. 600/2304/1, City & Guilds, Certificate in Marine Construction, Systems Engineering and Maintenance, Level 2, 280 GLH, 320 TQT, 32 Credits.

    Canada:
    National Consulting International Limited, Aids to Navigation Technical, 24 Credits.

    Conclusion:
    The standards are comparable with those for AtoN Technicians in countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada that have maritime training systems similar to South Africa's. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Electrician, Level 4.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Aids to Navigation Manager, Level 5. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for external assessment:
    In order to qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules employing a statement of results and work experience records.

    Foundational learning competence is pre-requisite for the awarding of this qualification.

    Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
    The entry requirements prescribed by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Recommendations and Guidelines.

    Further to the above requirement, the learner must have a current approved medical fitness and eye test certificate.

    Criteria for the accreditation of providers:
    Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.

    The curriculum code and title is: Aids to Navigation Technician: 718909000.

    Encompassed Trades:
    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD.
  • The qualification is not a trade.

    Assessment Quality Partner:
  • Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA). 
    		•

    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.