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: 

Occupational Certificate: Dock Master 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
118734  Occupational Certificate: Dock Master 
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  200  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0522/24  2022-02-03  2025-12-31 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-31   2029-12-31  

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 a Dock Master. A Dock Master plans, coordinates, and controls the safe and efficient docking and undocking of all vessels and or structures for the purposes of surveys, planned maintenance, unplanned repairs, alterations and refits.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Dock and undock vessels.
  • Plan and coordinate docking and undocking of vessels.
  • Achieve optimisation of docking and undocking bookings.
  • Warp vessel.
  • Transfer vessel on land.
  • Manage environmental protection.
  • Maintain and repair vessel.

    Rationale:
    This qualification resulted from an identified industry and employer need and represents a step in the established sub-field learning pathway. It will contribute to sustainable management of ports, terminals, and the ship repair industry to ensure South Africa's economic growth through providing additional ports and docking facilities to accommodate any of size of vessels.

    With this qualification, the learner will undergo structured learning which will build on their skills and competencies thereby reducing incidents and potential hazards within the industry. Currently coaching and mentoring initiatives are common practice with structured on the job training within these agreements. While these initiatives exist, they vary in application from business to business, which will be aligned through the implementation of the Dock Master qualification.

    Learners may range from unskilled progressing to becoming skilled workers. Learners achieving this qualification may progress from smaller facilities to the management of larger facilities. Career opportunities may extend to management positions within Operations.

    This qualification provides for implementation of qualifications in South Africa which complies with international competitive trends in the ports and harbours industry. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) held in Porto during 2002 agreed on a strategy for training of Dock Master. It was further agreed that the qualification will encompass diverse linguistic groups. Training of South African ports managers was outsourced to relevant countries which support the best international practice. 
    		•

    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 result or 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:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • NQF Level 3 qualification with Mathematics and Communication. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Knowledge Modules
  • 143907000-KM-01, Dock Optimisation Theory, Level 5, 5 Credits.
  • 143907000-KM-02, Vessel Docking and Undocking Planning, Level 6, 16 Credits.
  • 143907000-KM-03, Vessel Docking and Undocking Operations, Level 6, 8 Credits.
  • 143907000-KM-04, Warping of Vessel at Management Level, Level 4, 3 Credits.
  • 143907000-KM-05, Vessel Movement after Docking at Management Level, Level 4, 3 Credits.
  • 143907000-KM-06, Environmental Protection, Level 4, 5 Credits.
  • 143907000-KM-07, Dock Maintenance Theory, Level 6, 5 Credits.
  • 143907000-KM-08, Docking and Undocking Safety and Emergency Practices, Level 5, 6 Credits.
  • 143907000-KM-09, Security Awareness in Compliance with ISPS Code, Level 4, 5 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 56

    Practical Skill Modules
  • 143907000-PM-01, Optimise Bookings of Docking and Undocking Vessels, Level 6, 5 Credits.
  • 143907000-PM-02, Plan and Prepare for the Docking and Undocking of Vessels, Level 6, 18 Credits.
  • 143907000-PM-03, Lead and Organise Docking and Undocking Operations, Level 6, 15 Credits.
  • 143907000-PM-04, Control Vessel Warping Operations, Level 4, 2 Credits.
  • 143907000-PM-05, Manage Vessel Transfer, Level 6, 2 Credits.
  • 143907000-PM-06, Manage Environment Protection of Dry-docked Vessels, Level 4, 2 Credits.
  • 143907000-PM-07, Plan and Organise Maintenance and Repair of Vessels in Dock, Level 5, 8 Credits.
  • 143907000-PM-08, Identify Security Risks and Develop Contingency Plans, Level 4, 2 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 54

    Work Experience Modules
  • 143907000-WM-01, Processes and Procedures for Optimising Booking of Undocking and Docking, Level 6, 2 Credits.
  • 143907000-WM-02, Organisational and Legislative Requirements for the Planning of Docking and Undocking of Vessels as per Organisational and Legislative Requirements, Level 6, 36 Credits.
  • 143907000-WM-03, Policies and Procedures for Implementing Docking and Undocking, Level 6, 31 Credits.
  • 143907000-WM-04, Complying with Vessel Handling Procedures at a Management Level, Level 4, 2 Credits.
  • 143907000-WM-05, Procedures for Implementing Vessel Transfer, Level 6, 2 Credits.
  • 143907000-WM-06, Organisational and Legislative Requirements for Implementation of Environmental Protection, Level 4, 2 Credits.
  • 143907000-WM-07, Implementation Framework for Maintenance and Repair in the Dock and Facility, Level 5, Level 5, 13 Credits.
  • 143907000-WM-08, Security Procedures as per International and National Maritime Security Legislation, Level 4, 2 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 90 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Optimise the docking and undocking booking schedule in line with established safety requirements and regulations.
    2. Plan and coordinate the docking and undocking of vessels.
    3. Manage the docking and undocking of vessels.
    4. Manage the warping of the vessel.
    5. Manage the transfer of the vessel on land.
    6. Manage environmental protection during docking and undocking of vessels.
    7. Manage the maintenance and repair of the dock.
    8. Manage security duties around the docks and vessels. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Provide and maintain a booking schedule.
  • Optimise ship waiting and dock vacant time.
  • Manage late arrivals and time overruns.
  • Allocate most suitable facility for the vessel.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Plan the position of the vessel in or on dock.
  • Determine precautions during the sue.
  • Establish vessel for docking condition.
  • Prepare dewatering and flooding plan for docking and undocking (graving docks).
  • Pumping plan is prepared for docking and undocking (floating docks).

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Docking conference is managed.
  • Prepare the docks.
  • Control docking documentation.
  • Transfer vessel is brought to planned position and control of vessel.
  • Send Divers to inspect and where necessary adjust.
  • Start docking vessel to first contact with blocks to completion of sue.
  • Complete docking is complete.
  • Establish preparations for undocking.
  • Undock the vessel.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Warp vessel into dock.
  • Warp vessel onto dock.
  • Warp vessel out of dock.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Build cradles.
  • Secure and/or pack up the bilge blocks.
  • Position vessel correctly on side transfer carriage and transfer.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Mention activities in or on the dock.
  • Develop and manage environmental plan.
  • Monitor and coordinate interference between vessels repair activities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Plan routine maintenance schedule.
  • Update a schedule of defects regularly.
  • Conduct routine dock master's inspections.
  • Control unscheduled maintenance and repair operations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Develop dockyard security contingency plans as part of a team.
  • Implement security procedures.
  • Evaluate implementation procedures.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Formative Assessment:
    The skills development provider 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:
    An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant Quality Council for Trades and Occupations Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The International Maritime Organisation and its member states (UK, Australia, and India) were selected as reference countries as they offer researching seminars and workshops, which are the only sources of information available to benchmark best practice as it was accepted as international standards.

    Notwithstanding the complexity of training provided in the relevant countries, different best practices apply in the various countries and within the facilities themselves. Of the relevant selected countries especially UK, Australia, and India, it does show similarities within the training conducted thereby supporting best practices for the common objectives across the countries. Furthermore, this is to ensure that qualifying learners comply with the standard and best practice of The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. This has been built into the South African qualification to ensure a level of reliability and standardisation.

    The parallels between the various training received in the aforementioned countries is that training is primarily done on-the-job, and advances is a gradual stage by stage process through exposure to various vessels and facilities. The South African qualification addresses this through the knowledge, practical and workplace exposure which is integrated into the assessment criteria.

    South Africa is the thought leader of presenting a formal qualification. Training is purely work based and learners will therefore qualify once they have completed the acquired relevant skills set in the workplace.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification compares favourably with the best practice approaches and training highlighted in the above three countries. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification provides opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation options.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Vessel Traffic Services Operator, NQF Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Road Traffic Safety Officer, NQF Level 6. 
    		•

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for External Assessment:
    To qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required knowledge and practical modules by means of statements of results and a record of completed work experience.

    Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:
  • None

    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 title and code are: Dock Master: 143907000

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

    Assessment Quality Partner (AQP)
    South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION
  • None 
    		•

    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.