Bachelor of Marine Engineering
Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology - Engineering and Related Design
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification Purpose and Rationale
Purpose
The purpose of this qualification is to broaden the employment opportunities for graduates in both the offshore (sea-going) and land-based maritime industries. Aligned with the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) standards and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) regulations, this qualification aims to prepare learners to become competent navigating/deck officers at sea, opening doors for advancement into internationally recognized SAMSA certificates of competency. Graduates will be well-equipped to enter the maritime labor market, locally and globally, for a successful career in the maritime industry.
This qualification not only builds technical proficiency but also creates opportunities for personal growth ashore and further academic pursuits, such as post-graduate studies. Successful learners will have the foundation to pursue Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral programs in related fields, facilitating intellectual and professional growth in the maritime sector.
Rationale
The introduction of the Bachelor of Marine Engineering qualification is a response to the critical skills shortage in the maritime industry, aligned with Government's Operation Phakisa initiative to develop the Ocean (Blue) Economy. The global shortage of shipboard officers presents a significant opportunity for South Africa to contribute to the supply of seafaring officers worldwide and play a vital role in sustaining global trade.
According to the Baltic International Maritime Council (BIMCO)/International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Manpower Report, the current shortfall of shipboard officers is substantial and projected to increase significantly in the coming years. By producing well-trained, competent maritime graduates, South Africa can position itself as a key player in the global shipping industry, thereby addressing high levels of unemployment and contributing to the national economy.
Graduates of this qualification can expect lucrative, tax-free income in foreign currency, benefiting both the individual and the economy. The potential earning capacity of these graduates, as chief engineers for example, can significantly impact the GDP and inject foreign currency into the economy. Additionally, well-educated, highly skilled graduates proficient in English (the lingua-franca of the sea) will be in demand both at sea and ashore, contributing to career development and addressing critical skills shortages nationally and internationally.
In conclusion, this qualification aims to equip learners with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the maritime industry while contributing to economic growth, skills development, and employment opportunities in South Africa and globally.
Outcomes
- Understand and comprehend the content of the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978 as amended by the Manila Conference in 2010 and South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) Code of Qualifications.
- Engage in independent, life-long learning and continuous professional development (CPD) through well-developed learning practice.
- Use generally accepted marine engineering practice and new innovative ideas when dealing with the numerous challenges aboard a contemporary merchant vessel operating in extremely competitive international markets.
- Systematically diagnose and solve broadly defined shipboard marine engineering problems by applying sound marine engineering skills.
- Comprehend and apply ethical principles by committing to professional ethics, responsibilities and the norms of shipping practice.
- Use appropriate shipboard technologies and equipment, including information technology, with a thorough understanding of their limitations.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with shipboard, shore-based and port authority staff.
- Demonstrate the ability to serve on a range of differing types of merchant vessels with differing electro-technical, plant and machinery types.
- Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of shipboard management principles in relation to the safety of the vessel and its crew.
- Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the impact of shipping on society, economy, maritime and related industries and the physical environment (atmospheric and oceanographic).
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1
- Comprehend and apply Chapter III of the STCW Convention, 1978 as amended by the Manila Conference in 2010, i.e. standards regarding the engine department.
- Analyse the content of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) Code of Qualifications with the view to synthesise new technologies and safe practices in line with the fourth industrial revolution and contemporary merchant shipping.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2
- Evaluate one's development and progress in the marine engineering field regularly.
- Synthesize short-, medium- and long-term goals (SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-lined) in a bid to continually keep abreast of changes in marine engineering and related fields as well as fully comprehending the challenges posed by the 4th Industrial Revolution as it pertains to shipping.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3
- Evaluate optimal utilisation of shipboard plants and machinery to effect the best return on investment for the ship owner, ship manager or charterer.
- Synthesise innovations and cost-cutting measures to optimise and improve shipboard operations and minimising wasteful and unwarranted expenditure.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4
- Identify a range of marine engineering problems and risks to be encountered on a typical voyage.
- Analyse the problems and risks to be encountered with the view to synthesising workable solutions.
- Evaluate and select the most appropriate solution, for that context, in a bid to minimise any loss in voyage time and to reduce the costs of repairs.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5
- Comprehend the devastating effects oil pollution has on the marine environment.
- Apply ethical principles when dealing with and combatting the release of noxious substances into the marine and atmospheric environments.
- Evaluate the risks posed by shipping to the environment and using ethical reasoning when synthesising shipping solutions.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6
- Identify the requisite technologies, methods, skills and tools to use during a typical watch keeping arrangement.
- Analyse and synthesize information from the shipboard computers and data loggers to ensure that the marine engines, propulsion systems and shipboard plants are running at maximum levels of efficiency and output.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7
- Demonstrate sound knowledge and understanding of the English language, in particular Maritime English.
- Apply verbal and non-verbal communication in a variety of shipboard contexts.
- Analyse complex shipboard documents, plans and calculations with the view to minimise the risk to the ship owner, the officers and crew.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8
- Apply knowledge gained on differing vessel types and the adaptation thereof as required.
- Analyse current shipboard technologies and the synthesis of new, innovative and cost-effective technologies to optimise and maximise output, efficiency and return on investment.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9
- Apply sound leadership and management principles and skills during the course of a voyage.
- Evaluate and manage the risks to the vessel and its crew by using the SHEL model, i.e. Software, Hardware (equipment), Environment (internal and external) and Liveware (Human element).
- Synthesise solutions to minimise the risks posed in the SHEL model from case studies in a particular context.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10
- Analyse impact of shipboard technology, in terms of the limitations and benefits to the broader shipping and land-based societies.
- Evaluate the impact on occupational and public health and safety by shipping activity.
- Synthesise personal, economic, social and cultural values when dealing with persons affected by shipping activity.
Integrated Assessment
- Integrated Assessment forms part of continuous assessment at the institution and takes the form of an appropriate mix of both formative and summative assessment methods.
- Assessment policy and practices at the institution promote constructive alignment of the curriculum, learner centred-learning and assessment, and the importance of feedback to enhance learner engagement.
- Assessment practices should be fair, reliable and valid. It should also be in keeping with academic disciplinary and professional field norms and standards.
- Formative Assessment is aimed at enhancing learning and provides learners with an opportunity to reflect critically on their own learning and to improve their own levels of personal accountability and time management.
- Summative Assessment will take place at the end of a section of work/quarter or semester and is aimed at assessing learners' attainment against the learning outcomes of the programme and subject(s).
- Integrated Assessment in this qualification will take place at the third year of study and learners will be assessed holistically.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 360
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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