Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA)’s General Purpose Rating Class of 2015 has completed a four-week bridging course in mathematics at Transnet’s Maritime School of Excellence (MSOE).

The class of 28 students is the first intake to be selected from TNPA’s adopted schools in Gauteng, East London, Richards Bay and South Durban Basin, where they attended Saturday classes in Science, English and Mathematics from Grade 10 to Grade 12.

“Preparing youth for maritime careers is one example of how we can meet the needs of the ports while uplifting surrounding communities,” says Vishnu Govender, TNPA’s marine training and development manager.

Next year the students will begin theory courses at the MSOE on ordinary seafarer-engine and deck modules and steering and look-out. This will be followed by their able seafarer-engine and deck modules.

They will then complete numerous ancillary courses at Unicorn Shipping including Pre-Sea familiarisation, Elementary first aid at sea, Fire prevention and fire-fighting at sea, Personal safety and social responsibilities and Personal survival techniques.

After this they will go to sea and put their theory to the test. They will first complete two months learning the practical side of being on deck and in the engine room in ordinary seafarer roles, which will be followed by six months of learning the able seafarer engine and deck roles. Thereafter they will qualify with a General Purpose Rating.