Senior maritime instructor and manager at Survival Centre, Samantha Montes is the first female and person from the African continent to be appointed as the chairperson of the International Association for Safety and Survival Training (IASST).

Montes has served on several committees within the South African Maritime context. Having managed the CPUT Erasmus+ Project (EURO-ZA Capacity Building in the field of Maritime Education), she is “up for a new challenge”. She has been in this field (maritime) for more than 20 years, and she never thought she would be the first in anything in her career, “from the IASST being a mere certificate on the walls which I pass every day at work, to now heading up this association is quite a personal achievement”.

“I am affectionally known as the Maritime Oracle in my industry. I achieved this by asking a lot of questions. Asking the right kind of questions is the key. Resilience is the factor to getting to this point in my career. I am not afraid of failure. ‘The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.’ - Ralph Waldo Emerson.” As a female, Montes hopes to see more women in similar posts within their organisations and to highlight that safety has no gender discrimination. As an African, it was so refreshing for her to engage with members and “receive such support”. “The partners share information without prejudice. In South Africa, we speak about Ubuntu. It is often described as reminding us that 'I am what I am because of who we all are'. What we can learn from our partners in other countries is collectively seeking a common goal, although locally we call for collaboration, do we practice this?

“In local forums we can identify challenges, but do we work collectively to solve these? I hope to bring my knowledge of how other countries (training providers) have worked to mitigate their challenges to our shores.”

Reflecting on her new journey, as an incoming new chairperson of the IASST, Montes added “Excited, nervous, a mix of emotions. However, the support I have received from the maritime industry has been almost overwhelming. I never realised how many cheerleaders I have.” The IASST which was founded in 1980 and its commitment is to promote effective maritime safety and survival training. It also encourages the interchange of ideas and information to improve the quality of training internationally. The association also encourages instructor exchanges and contribute to the development and improvement of safety and survival technology. It also forges and maintain links with government, industry, national and international organisations and provides consultative and advisory services in safety and survival training.

Her mandate as chair is to promote the association internationally, being spokesperson for IASST and establish working groups to carry out specific tasks. Despite her impressive career, Montes still don’t consider herself successful in her career, “as there is still so much work to be done in the maritime industry to ensure it is a safe working environment”. The people I know inspire me every day through their passion. I believe we can inspire each other through our actions.” Her aspiration is to teach others that failing does not define “who you are”.

“What defines you is how you act after failure.”

During the pandemic, the lines between work and home life became blurred for her. “I made a conscious decision to set clear boundaries to protect my peace and my mental wellbeing. Spending time with my loved ones is something that cannot be bought or replaced.”

Montes says planning ensures that she keeps on top of her busy work schedule. “I have separate notebooks/share drives for each of my portfolios to ensure I adhere to my constitutional duties of each of these posts.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The Maritime Department recently hosted a four-day International Association for Safety and Survival Training (IASST) Meeting and Seminar: “The Use of Simulators in Safety and Survival Training”, at  Granger Bay campus.

IASST is a highly professional organisation, which pays efforts to improve the efficiency of safety and survival training all over the world, therefore, saving the lives of seafarers. The IASST has vast experience of more than 40 years in the field, which is combined with the expertise of all its members. It is a huge network of more than 150 members, located in more than 50 countries and on all continents. Every single member contributes to the development of the association and the safety of seafarers.

The event had 20 delegates coming from CPUT: Department of Maritime Studies, Project Maritime Training: South Africa, Sea Safety Training Group: South Africa, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK): Japan, National Maritime College of Ireland: Ireland, Survival Systems Limited: Canada, Maritiem Instituut Willem Barentsz: Netherlands, WoW Company International SA: Belgium, Novikontas: Latvia, The Centre for the Study and Practice of Survival (CEPS): France and FISH Platform: Netherlands.

Senior Maritime Instructor and Manager: Department of Maritime Studies: Survival Centre, Samantha Montes, who was the event organiser, said the objective of the meeting was to facilitate an exchange of information and to fulfil other objectives of the IASST, and that the meetings are held regularly at locations around the world.

Montes said the international meetings are held to conduct the business affairs of the association. Standing items on the agenda of international meetings include review, approval and matters arising from minutes of previous meetings; future meetings membership matters and a round table of membership issues, however, she said the meetings’ agendas were not necessarily limited to the aforementioned matters. Montes added that a one-day safety seminar is held in conjunction with any international meeting. A safety seminar features a mix of international and local presenters.

Reflecting on this year's event, Montes said the event was very successful as “we were only asked in July to host due to the assigned host could no longer accommodate the meeting and seminar”. “[I was] impressed with the quality of speakers who were available at short notice. I am honoured that we, as CPUT, were asked to host. The IASST has not met in South Africa before, and this was the first CPUT was hosting since the inception of IASST in the 1980s.”

Yann Chauty from CEPS said the main topic, Simulation in safety, training was very interesting and successful. Chauty added that there was a need to invest sufficiently in the quality of the training equipment of the schools,  including davits, lifeboats, etc, which “are very obsolete”.

Cormac Mac Sweeney from Munster Technological University said the event accelerated the update on current thinking and possibilities regarding the use of simulation in safety training. Sweeney said a lot can be achieved in online meetings and there is no doubt there is a cost involved in in-person meetings.

“In person [meetings] gives you the opportunity of not only having longer discussions on the topic but also the ability to discuss other topics of mutual interest, expanding on similar methodologies, discussing new ideas and perhaps creating new links,” partnerships etc,” he continued.

“Overall, the ability, without time restraint, to discuss areas of mutual interest to improve our ability to pass the most up-to-date knowledge onto our students/clients.”

Leon Morton from Sea Safety Training Group, said: “I would say in terms of simulation the last presenter with the gaming mode was something interesting, however, not all age groups would be able to do that as the gaming consoles take time to get used to… My favourite was the fish platform, showing how everyone locally and internationally, doesn’t consider the figures of the fishing industry. Our fishing industry needs to be included and not just be on the side as a mention.”

“We are from Canada, and it was nice to see that South Africa was developing a safety culture when it comes to survival at sea.  And yes, the people were extremely nice and helpful,” said Paul Douglas from Survival Systems. 

The IASST also handed over a charitable donation of 500 British Pounds to the National Sea Rescue Institute- NSRI Station 29 - Airborne Sea Rescue.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Senior maritime instructor and manager at Survival Centre, Samantha Montes is grateful to be appointed Membership Director of the International Association for Safety and Survival Training (IASST).

“[I am] extremely honoured, for South Africa, the African continent [and this will] help other countries to realise South Africa have something unique to offer in our maritime sector,” says Montes. Besides being a membership director, her mandate includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Promote the Association internationally
• Chairperson of the IASST discussion group
• Participate in or chair other sub-committees
• Disseminate and collate election ballots for the position of directors.

“As Dissemination was our portfolio for the Erasmus Plus EURO-ZA capacity building in maritime education, I feel this has given me the tools to achieve this mandate.”

Reflecting on her career journey, the Eastern Cape-born “quirky” maritime instructor says it all started on a school trip to Cape Town in Standard 7 (Grade 9). She visited the Zonnebloem Campus of the then Cape Technikon.

“I saw one line in the course prospectus that said, ‘Maritime Studies’ and [I]decided this was my career choice.”

After completing her schooling in King Williams Town, Montes relocated to Cape Town to study Maritime Studies at the Cape Technikon, now known as CPUT’s Granger Bay campus.

She joined her first vessel as a navigation cadet in January 2000. Her long sea career has seen her work on various ship types and within many maritime sectors.

In 2015, Montes received a call from her alma mater, CPUT, and was offered a post ashore. Since August 2015, she has been a Senior Maritime Instructor at Survival Centre. An opportunity to return to sea for a short stint presented itself in 2019 when Montes was asked to sail as a training officer aboard the SA Agulhas for a historic voyage of venturing to Antarctica with 20 female cadet officers for three months.

Reflecting on her glittering career, Montes said she had to show up and be present. “Opportunities are not going to seek you out. But if you’re in the room, people take notice of you. Perseverance and resilience. Change the narrative by being involved.”

She also attributed her success to her “never give up” attitude. Some of the highlights in her career include visits to all seven continents. “To be exposed to many different cultures and work with many nationalities. The challenges often are not unique to maritime, but how you address those challenges sets you apart and leads to success.” Her message to the younger generation is: “Don’t be scared to ask questions. Throughout my career, I asked questions. I would rather be seen as foolish for asking simple questions to be sure not to mess up and look incompetent. Although, now, I seem to be the one who answers the questions.” She loves her job and the unique challenges it brings her every day. “I am a problem-solver, so this industry provides ample opportunity to practise this skill.”

When she is not at work, Montes spends time with her two ginger cats, which require much attention. “Cats are the masters of relaxing, so I learn from them. I read and enjoy chatting with friends all over the globe.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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Senior maritime instructor and manager of the Survival Centre, Samantha Montes, who is also the membership director of the International Association for Safety and Survival Training (IASST), recently attended the IASST International Meeting and Conference which was hosted by Ceronav Training Centre in Romania.

IASST is a professional organisation, which pays efforts to improve the efficiency of safety and survival training all over the world, as a consequence - to save the lives of seafarers. The IASST has vast experience of more than 40 years in the field It is a huge network of more than 150 members, located in over 50 countries and in all continents.

IASST hosts international meetings twice a year which gives members the unique opportunity to visit member training centres globally (CPUT hosted in October 2022). The meetings are followed by a safety seminar with guest speakers from around the world. The topic of the seminar hosted by CERONAV in Romania was “Using Simulators and Practical Training Basis to Improve Maritime Safety Training”.

“My objective was to represent CPUT Survival Centre at the meeting and safety seminar as well as perform my duties as membership director,” Montes remarked.

“My expectations were surpassed by the robust discussion during the members’ meeting and followed by the safety seminar the following day. Knowledge sharing is vital in the field of Safety and Survival Training with best practice being discussed by colleagues who attend from across the globe. As well as a chance to share what we practice in South Africa.”

During the safety seminar, the Ceronav Romanian Maritime Training Centre, shared their experiences during the earthquake disaster in Syria/Turkey February in 2023. Where staff members volunteered in rescue operations this sentence is incomplete. “We were treated to a private dinner at Bran Castle in Transylvania, which included a tour of the legendary castle made famous by Brahm Stoker’s telling of Dracula.”

She said the lecture on changes to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) will be shared to lecturers to update their course materials. “Additionally, the changes proposed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) with regards to the use of simulators in the training of Survival Craft and rescue boats was interesting as CPUT embraces the 5IR.

“I have been asked to consider becoming the next chairperson of the IASST and this would be remarkable as being the first woman to stand as well as the first person from the continent of Africa. A decision will be made at the upcoming meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan at the end of September 2023.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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To prepare students for an emergency evacuation or egression in the event of a crash landing on water, the Survival Centre recently collaborated with the Department of Emergency Medical Sciences (EMS) to host a Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) for 19 EMS students.

HUET is designed to equip students with the necessary skills to survive and escape from a helicopter that has ditched into the water. The primary aim is to ensure that students from the EMS programmes are prepared for real-life emergency scenarios involving helicopters, enhancing their overall emergency response capabilities. “This is essential training as EMS practitioners could be required to proceed to an emergency in a helicopter. Aeromedical rescue module is part of their curriculum, and thus Survival Centre and EMS collaborate to complete the outcomes and assessment,” said Senior Maritime Instructor and Manager: Survival Centre, Samantha Montes.

The HUET course provides several benefits to the EMS students as they experience a simulated helicopter ditching, both controlled and uncontrolled, which prepares them for actual emergencies. This hands-on approach helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. The training helps students develop essential survival skills such as underwater escape, proper use of safety equipment, and techniques for staying calm under pressure.

By successfully completing the HUET course, students gain confidence in their ability to handle emergencies, which is crucial for their future roles as EMS professionals.

The training also emphasises teamwork and coordination, “which are vital skills for EMS professionals who often work in teams during emergencies”.

“The training day was a resounding success. All students, including those who needed to reattempt the escape, successfully passed the course. This indicates that the training effectively prepared students, allowing them to demonstrate proficiency in the skills taught. The success can be attributed to the well-structured programme, the expertise of the instructors, and the determination of the students.”

The training was conducted by experienced professionals, Cara Alberts, Ryan McConney and Colin Daniels who ensured high-quality instructions and safety throughout the course. Alberts is a maritime instructor with extensive experience in underwater escape training. McConney is a lab assistant/safety assistant who provided essential support and guidance during the practical exercises. Meanwhile Daniels, a lab assistant/safety assistant assisted in ensuring the smooth operation of the training sessions and student safety. Both lab assistants operated the winch controls for the HUET

A fourth year Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care student, Chumani Qinisile said: “For me it was adventurous, because I've never experienced such in my lifetime. When you outside, you think it's just a walk in the park but once you get inside the helicopter, that's where you realise that it's real. It was fun though.”

Chumani said the training shapes “your mindset” on how to react on those certain circumstances, not to panic and handle it in a very good manner and a manner that “will help you” survive such incident “if you ever come across it”. “I was not scared, just a little bit nervous. I love any activity that involves water in it, so for me it was just having fun.”

The second HUET training session will be held on 5 June and 20 students are expected to partake in the programme.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Buti Manamela visited the Granger Bay Campus yesterday to assess the institution’s state of readiness for the 2024 academic year.

Manamela was welcomed by Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, before a meeting with the institution’s management committee at the Cape Town Hotel School. He also received a briefing on progress with the registration process.

The visit also included a walkabout of the Maritime Studies Department and the Deputy Minister and his team were taken on a tour of the cutting-edge Survival Centre by the centre’s manager, Samantha Montes

The centre offers a range of facilities for practical training and a wide variety of short courses.

Manamela indicated that he was “happy with the smooth registration process that is happening so far” and wished the university well for the rest of the year 2024 academic year.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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