Entry & progression — engineering
Governing: 2021 Regulations, regs 2(5), 45 to 58; SAMSA MIN 01-25; STCW III/1 to III/3, III/6. Builds on: L1.2.
South African engineers are well represented in superyacht engine rooms, often via a trade (fitter and turner, diesel mechanic) and a SAMSA ticket. The engineering ladder has more rungs than the deck one, because it has to cover everything from a 350 kW harbour launch to a 30 MW container ship.
Seagoing engineering certificates
| Certificate | STCW | Main entry route |
|---|---|---|
| Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch (EOOW) | III/1 | Age 18; 36 months engine-room service on trading ships ≥750 kW, incl. 6 months supervised watchkeeping, record book. Accelerated: 12 months |
| Second Engineer (<3 000 kW) | III/3 | EOOW + 12 months as EOOW on trading ships ≥750 kW |
| Chief Engineer (<3 000 kW) | III/3 | EOOW + 36 months as EOOW on ships ≥750 kW; or Second (<3 000 kW) + 12 months as second engineer on ships ≥750 kW |
| Second Engineer | III/2 | EOOW + 12 months as EOOW on ships ≥3 000 kW; or Second (<3 000 kW) + 6 months as EOOW on ships ≥3 000 kW |
| Chief Engineer | III/2 | EOOW + 36 months as EOOW on ships ≥3 000 kW; or Second + 12 months as second engineer on ships ≥3 000 kW |
| Electro-Technical Officer | III/6 | Age 18; 36 months (or 12 accelerated) in engine rooms over 750 kW, plus theory exam |
A first engineer certificate also requires proof of the approved workshop training course (reg 11(8)); an approved trade can earn exemptions from parts of it.
Small-power certificates
These are the ones most relevant to tenders, support vessels and small yachts:
| Certificate | Entry |
|---|---|
| EOOW (<750 kW) | Age 18; 18 months on ships ≥100 kW; or 12 months if holding an approved trade certificate |
| Chief Engineer (<750 kW) | EOOW (<750 kW) + 12 months on ships ≥350 kW |
The EOOW (<750 kW) also allows the holder to act as chief engineer on ships under 350 kW (reg 2(5)(m)).
What happened to the Marine Motorman?
The old Marine Motorman certificates were issued under 1993 examination regulations. The 2021 Regulations kept them valid only for a transition period (reg 125(3)): until the earlier of two years after commencement or five years after issue. Annexure 1 maps Marine Motorman Grade 2 to Engineer Officer (<750 kW), and Grade 1 and Higher Grade to fishing engineer certificates. If an older crew member's CV lists "MM1", treat it as a legacy title and ask what it was converted to.
The academic hurdle
Engineering orals have an academic entry requirement. MIN 01-25 extended transitional arrangements to 31 December 2025; after that, candidates need the additional education required by the Training Standards Code, for example a mechanical or marine engineering qualification at NQF level 6 or higher. Check the current MIN before planning.
CAUTION — kW, not GT Engineering limits are propulsion power. A 60 m yacht with twin 1 900 kW engines has 3 800 kW; a Chief Engineer (<3 000 kW) is not enough for it under SAMSA rules.
Worked sum
A candidate claims EOOW service on a 2 × 1 400 kW supply vessel. Propulsion power = 1 400 + 1 400 = 2 800 kW. That is ≥750 kW but <3 000 kW: good towards the <3 000 kW certificates, not towards unlimited Second or Chief.
For the MCA yacht engineering route, see MCA engineering (AEC, SV route).