SOUTH AFRICA: A team of young South African doctors is harnessing rapid advances in communications technology to deliver professional medical care to fishing crews at sea, while helping vessel operators avoid operational downtime and costly diversions to port.

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Maritime Training Academy (SAMTRA) has received accreditation from the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) for its Mates and Masters Academic Programme (STCW Code Table A-II/2), enabling senior deck officers to obtain internationally recognised management level certification.

SOUTH AFRICA: An initiative to address critical knowledge deficits in the fishing sector has been launched that will fund the development of an accredited course for improving expertise amongst local maritime professionals through the delivery of abbreviated naval architecture training.

SOUTH AFRICA: Only 13 members of an 18 crew have been accounted for following an incident involving the offshore supply vessel, Leo, that transmitted a mayday last night.

SOUTH AFRICA: A new panel, appointed by the President, will see the inquiry into the circumstances that saw the Iranian Navy participation in a recent naval exercise move from the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans to the Presidency.

Tanzania has called on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to strengthen technical cooperation and capacity-building to help developing countries participate more effectively in the review and validation of IMO model courses, arguing that broader representation is necessary for consistent global implementation of seafarer training standards.

SOUTH AFRICA: South African National Parks (SANParks) has launched a R10.8 million Marine Economy Small-Scale Fisheries Support Programme aimed at strengthening sustainable livelihoods while safeguarding marine ecosystems for future generations.

The 2012 Cape Town Agreement has met the requirements for entry into force and will enter into force in February 2027, closing a longstanding gap in the global maritime safety framework.