MRCC Chief at South African Maritime Safety Authority

• Manage & Co-ordinate the National Maritime search and rescue capability within the South African Maritime Search & Rescue (SAR) area of responsibility through contact and co-operation between various role players. Ensure the MRCC delivers its services according to international standards & best practices as contained in the IAMSAR manuals and other pertinent national and international legislation

Job Description
SAR Operational Management
To ensure successful, effective and efficient SAR operations within optimum resource utilization.

• Overall management of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), which coordinates all participating search and rescue facilities within the SA maritime search and rescue area of responsibility.
• Maintain overall responsibility for maritime SAR operations coordinated by MRCC Cape Town, within the SA search and rescue region (SRR) and/or beyond.
• Maintain oversight of all established maritime Rescue Sub-Centres (RSCs) established to coordinate SAR operations within their delineated area of responsibility, within which the RCC cannot exercise direct and effective coordination of SAR facilities.
• Ensure that MRCC and RSCs conform to the SAR standards, practices and procedures, which have been established.
• Establish close liaison with other services, agencies and organizations, which have SAR potential.
• Establish liaison with SAR authorities of neighbouring countries to ensure mutual and effective coordination during combined AMSAR operations.
• Ensure that communication is established and SAR frequencies are assigned to units designated for SAR tasks.
• Establish communications with all other interested parties to ensure two-way alerting and dissemination of SAR information.
• Designate Search Mission Coordinators for maritime SAR missions
• Monitor maritime SAR missions until assistance is deemed no longer necessary, the rescue has been affected or the chance of success is no longer a reasonable possibility. Inform relevant parties when a SAR operation has been suspended or terminated.
• Promote the efficient and effective use of all available SAR resources
• Establish and define responsibility first when a SAR operation is to be executed on or near the border of an adjoining SAR area and take necessary action.
• Ensure a comprehensive MRCC SAR Plan is prepared, distributed and updated as necessary.
• Review SAR operations for continuous improvement of the South African maritime SAR response capabilities.
• Ensure the implementation of operational requirements as contained in bilateral and multilateral agreements.

Operational Liaison

• Develop, coordinate, administer, review and evaluate plans, policies, procedures, standards and training requirements for SAR cooperation and coordination.
• Chair and direct the SASAR Maritime Sub-committee and facilitate co-operation between national and regional role players to achieve operational readiness and search and rescue success.
• Participate as a member of SASAR Manco and Exco representing Maritime SAR (MRCC)
• Oversee the drafting of RSC SAR Plans by the RSC Chief(s).
• Evaluate SAR procedures for SA and the Southern Africa Region, and propose amendments as necessary.
• Participate in the drafting of the National SAR Plan
• Participate in drafting regulations pertaining to maritime SAR within South Africa
• Ensure effective management and implementation of the Cospas-Sarsat program in South Africa and the MSI contract between DoT and the service provider as required by SASAR.
• Promote close cooperation and coordination between civilian and military authorities and organisations for the provision of effective SAR services within the South African SRR.
• Ensure close cooperation among aeronautical and maritime SAR communities.
• Ensure the development of Contingency plans for the use of SAR resources during AMSAR MASS casualty events.
• Continuously uphold and promote the SASAR/SAMSA/MRCC brand.
• MRCC Focal Point for media liaison on matters related to maritime SAR operations, in liaison with SASAR and SAMSA’s Corporate Affairs office.

International Liaison

• Promote a harmonious working relationship between SAR Operational staff within the Southern African SAR sub-region as Co-chair of the Southern Indian Ocean Region (SIOR) MRCC Working Group.
• Facilitate workshops, conferences and other programmes for SAR, in consultation with SASAR.
• Ensure training and international SAR exercises are arranged in cooperation with the DOT and all relevant SASAR members.
• Ensure MRCC Cape Town establishes and maintains SAR points of contact, nationally, regionally and internationally.
• Participate in international engagements as designated by SAMSA and/or DoT. e.g. IMO, COSPAS SARSAT, IMRF etc.
• Render maritime SAR technical advice to the Department during bilateral negotiations, meetings and workshops.

Statistics

Ensure SAR operational statistical information is disseminated to SAMSA, DOT and SASAR as required

• Ensure proper analysis of statistics of all MRCC SAR operations is maintained.
• Analyze and distribute statistical data pertaining to maritime search and rescue-related matters.
• Make recommendations to the SASAR Executive Committee around improvements to the SAR system based on analysis of statistical data.
• Encourage the exchange of SAR statistics and analysis internationally and regionally.

Management of staff and resourcing

• Ensure staff administration, incl. roster management and welfare, is effectively attended to by the Operations Supervisor.
• Ensure the training of MRCC staff and continuous improvement.
• Monitor the effective performance management of MRCC staff to maintain professional competence for the successful implementation of the SAR operational plan.
• Nurture a conducive work culture, in line with applicable Policies and SAMSA values.
• Develop and administer the MRCC annual budget and business plan in line with the DOT-SAMSA Memorandum of Understanding.
• Implement the operational objectives in line with SAMSA’s Annual Performance Plan and Maritime Operations operational plan.

Job Requirements
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

Qualifications

• Grade 12 with Mathematics, and English, and
• National Diploma: Maritime Studies with a STCW Deck CoC – Management Level (Chief Officer/Master Mariner) or
• Naval Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate with command endorsement (service on a naval vessel of ≥24m)
• Equivalent qualification in Nautical Studies, NQF level 7.

Experience

• 5 - 7 years of experience in maritime SAR operations
• Supervisory/management experience advantageous
• Good knowledge of the COSPAS SARSAT and maritime communications systems.

Professional certification/registration

• Maritime Search Mission Coordinator or SAR Planner Certificate of Completion or equivalent.

Core Competencies

• Working knowledge of the SASAR Organisation, Operational Procedures and Processes for Maritime SAR
• International Conventions and Policies related to SAR
• Knowledge of the applicable AMSAR Conventions and legislations
• Investigate, plan and execute a maritime search and rescue operation
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to communicate at various management levels and able to communicate with empathy
• Ability to work with people and foster teamwork
• Verbal Communication, report writing and presentation skills
• Organisational Skills Analytical and independent thinking, decision-making and motivational abilities

Deadline:26th January,2026