Deputy Registrar of Ships at South African Maritime Safety Authority

• To administer and maintain the South African Ship Register in strict accordance with the Ship Registration Act, No. 58 of 1998, ensuring lawful registration of ships, verification of ownership and mortgages, and compliance with statutory requirements such as vessel inspections and tonnage measurements. The Deputy Registrar will support the Registrar of Ships.

Job Description

• Process ship registration applications, ownership transfers, and cancellations as per the Ship Registration Act Sections 5, 14, and 18.
• Maintain accurate records in the South African Ship Registry including ownership shares, mortgages, and vessel particulars as mandated by Section 18.
• Verify vessel compliance with statutory requirements including inspections and tonnage measurements under Sections 3 and 4 before registration or transfer approval.
• Issue provisional and full registration certificates under authority delegated by the Registrar in line with Section 18.
• Liaise among SAMSA, ship owners, government agencies, and maritime stakeholders to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Support enforcement actions including penalties, compliance investigations, and deregistration according to Section 20.
• Supervise daily registry operations and ensure service continuity during the Registrar’s absence.
• Ensure timely collection and reconciliation of ship registration fees.
• Prepare reports and operational updates for the Registrar and SAMSA management.
• Manage dissemination of Marine Notices, Circulars, and regulatory updates related to ship registration.
• Propose and support amendments to regulations and procedures aligned with evolving maritime laws and strategic objectives.
• Facilitate engagement with maritime sector stakeholders to resolve systemic issues and improve registry services.

Job Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS

• Matric Certificate
• Bachelors Degree\Advanced Diploma in Law or any related qualification (NQF 7)

 EXPERIENCE

• Seven (7) years of legal experience or related maritime regulatory functions, with demonstrable involvement in the administration and enforcement of the provisions of the Ship Registration Act No. 58 of 1998.
• Experience with ship registration processes, ownership transfers, issuance of certificates, maintenance of registry records, and compliance monitoring as prescribed by the Act.
• Proven ability to apply the legislative requirements of the Ship Registration Act effectively within a regulatory or maritime governance environment.

 SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES 

• Legislative and Regulatory Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of the Ship Registration Act No. 58 of 1998, including its key provisions governing ship registration, ownership transfers, certificate issuance, and enforcement. Ability to interpret and apply complex maritime legislation accurately and ensure operational compliance.
• Administrative and Record-Keeping Skills: Skilled in maintaining detailed, accurate, and confidential records in the South African Ship Registry. Proficient in managing documentation related to vessel particulars, ownership shares, mortgages, and regulatory filings as required by the Ship Registration Act.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Capacity to analyse registration applications, ownership documents, and compliance issues critically. Resolve discrepancies or registration challenges in line with statutory requirements and ensure correct application of the Act’s provisions.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to engage effectively with ship owners, maritime stakeholders, surveyors, government authorities, and internal teams. Ability to explain regulatory requirements clearly and foster cooperative relationships to facilitate smooth registration processes.
• Organisational and Planning Skills: Strong ability to prioritise tasks, manage multiple deadlines, and coordinate ship registry functions efficiently. Ensure processes comply with legal timeframes and support timely issuance of registration documents as mandated in the Act.
• Computer Literacy: Proficient in using registry management software, databases, spreadsheets, and office productivity tools to maintain the Ship Register and produce operational reports and analyses in line with SAMSA’s requirements.
• Compliance and Enforcement: Knowledge of enforcement mechanisms under the Ship Registration Act, including investigation of non-compliance, imposition of penalties, and deregistration procedures. Capacity to support enforcement actions accurately and fairly to uphold maritime safety and registration standards.
• Integrity and Confidentiality: Demonstrates high personal and professional integrity by safeguarding sensitive registration and ownership information in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational policies.
• Stakeholder Liaison and Coordination: Effective coordination and stakeholder engagement skills to maintain continuous communication with maritime sector role-players, government entities, and regulatory bodies. Facilitate collaborative resolution of systemic issues affecting the Ship Registry.
• Maritime Sector Awareness: Well-informed about the maritime industry, ship registration trends, and regulatory environment. Applies this knowledge to anticipate and respond to changes in legislation and policy impacting ship registration and administration.