Services Transport, Operations and Logistics

Conduct Vessel Administration Activities Training

SAQA US 119840 | NQF 4 | Credits 12 | Duration 9 Days
From $1,798 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the competencies required to perform vessel administration activities in a maritime or shipping environment. It covers the administration of vessel documentation, crew records, port clearance, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Successful learners will be able to manage vessel-related administrative tasks efficiently and in accordance with industry standards.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate the ability to compile and maintain vessel documentation in compliance with statutory requirements.
  • Apply procedures for crew administration, including records of certification, leave, and payroll.
  • Analyze port clearance processes and ensure timely submission of required documentation.
  • Evaluate vessel operational records to identify discrepancies and implement corrective actions.
  • Implement systems for tracking vessel maintenance, repairs, and survey schedules.
  • Design efficient filing and retrieval systems for vessel-related administrative records.

Target Audience

This course is designed for administrative personnel, fleet managers, and maritime professionals responsible for vessel administration and documentation. It is also suitable for individuals seeking to enter the maritime industry in an administrative capacity.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Vessel Administration

Objectives:
• Define vessel administration and its role in maritime operations
• Understand the legal and regulatory framework governing vessel administration in South Africa
• Identify key stakeholders and their responsibilities
• Explain the importance of accurate documentation and record-keeping

Topics:
• Overview of vessel administration
• Maritime regulatory bodies (SAMSA, Ports Authority)
• Key legislation: Merchant Shipping Act, Marine Safety Act
• Roles of ship owners, managers, and crew
• Introduction to vessel documentation

Day 2: Vessel Registration and Documentation

Objectives:
• Describe the process of vessel registration in South Africa
• Identify required documents for vessel registration and certification
• Understand the purpose and validity of various certificates
• Complete a sample vessel registration application

Topics:
• Vessel registration procedures
• Types of vessel certificates (Load Line, Safety Equipment, Radio)
• Certificate of Registry and its renewal
• Port State Control inspections
• Practical exercise: filling out registration forms

Day 3: Crew Administration and Manning

Objectives:
• Explain crew manning requirements and STCW compliance
• Understand crew documentation: Seaman's Book, CoCs, medical certificates
• Manage crew records and training records
• Apply procedures for crew changes and repatriation

Topics:
• STCW Convention and national regulations
• Crew qualifications and certificates of competency
• Seaman's Book and discharge book
• Crew list and manning levels
• Crew change procedures and immigration requirements

Day 4: Vessel Maintenance and Safety Administration

Objectives:
• Outline the administrative requirements for vessel maintenance
• Understand safety management systems (ISM Code)
• Maintain maintenance logs and defect reports
• Implement safety drills and record-keeping

Topics:
• Planned maintenance systems
• ISM Code and Safety Management System documentation
• Defect reporting and tracking
• Drills and training records
• Inventory of safety equipment

Day 5: Port and Harbour Administration

Objectives:
• Describe port entry and departure procedures
• Understand harbour dues and charges
• Manage port call documentation (cargo manifests, stowage plans)
• Coordinate with port authorities and agents

Topics:
• Port clearance and customs procedures
• Harbour dues calculation
• Cargo documentation: manifests, bills of lading
• Agent and broker coordination
• Port state control inspections

Day 6: Financial Administration for Vessels

Objectives:
• Understand vessel operating costs and budgeting
• Manage crew payroll and disbursements
• Process invoices and purchase orders
• Maintain financial records for audit

Topics:
• Budgeting and cost control
• Crew payroll, overtime, and deductions
• Purchase order systems
• Invoice processing and payment
• Financial reporting and audits

Day 7: Environmental and Waste Management Administration

Objectives:
• Understand MARPOL requirements and waste management plans
• Maintain garbage record books and oil record books
• Manage ballast water treatment documentation
• Implement environmental compliance procedures

Topics:
• MARPOL Annexes I-VI
• Garbage management plan and record book
• Oil record book and sludge disposal
• Ballast water management plan
• Environmental audits and reporting

Day 8: Emergency Response and Crisis Administration

Objectives:
• Develop and maintain emergency response plans
• Manage crisis communication and incident reporting
• Coordinate with authorities during emergencies
• Conduct post-incident reviews and documentation

Topics:
• Emergency response plans (fire, collision, grounding)
• Incident reporting to SAMSA and flag state
• Crisis communication protocols
• Media and stakeholder management
• Post-incident analysis and corrective actions

Day 9: Integrated Vessel Administration and Assessment

Objectives:
• Integrate all administrative functions into a cohesive system
• Apply knowledge to a simulated vessel administration scenario
• Evaluate administrative efficiency and compliance
• Prepare for final assessment

Topics:
• Case study: complete vessel administration cycle
• Simulated port call and documentation
• Audit preparation and compliance checks
• Review of key concepts
• Final assessment

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Thu 10 Sep 2026 Tue 22 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,798 Register
Wed 30 Sep 2026 Mon 12 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,798 Register
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Tue 28 Sep 2027 Fri 08 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,798 Register
Mon 18 Oct 2027 Thu 28 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,798 Register
Tue 07 Dec 2027 Fri 17 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,798 Register
Mon 27 Dec 2027 Thu 06 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,798 Register
Fri 21 Jan 2028 Wed 02 Feb 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,798 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 498 sessions across 26 venues
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In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
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Fri 18 Sep 2026 Wed 30 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,338 Register
Thu 08 Oct 2026 Tue 20 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,338 Register
Wed 28 Oct 2026 Mon 09 Nov 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,338 Register
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Wed 24 Mar 2027 Mon 05 Apr 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $2,338 Register
Tue 15 Jun 2027 Fri 25 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,338 Register
Mon 05 Jul 2027 Thu 15 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,338 Register
Fri 30 Jul 2027 Wed 11 Aug 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,338 Register
Thu 16 Sep 2027 Tue 28 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,338 Register
Wed 06 Oct 2027 Mon 18 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,338 Register
Tue 26 Oct 2027 Fri 05 Nov 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,338 Register
Wed 15 Dec 2027 Mon 27 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,338 Register
Tue 04 Jan 2028 Fri 14 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,338 Register
Mon 24 Jan 2028 Thu 03 Feb 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,338 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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