Topic: Vessel Handlers

BACKGROUND

• Within the framework of the constitution and Police Act, the South Police Service has a responsibility to ensure the safety of all persons in South Africa vessel handlers have obligation to meet of the community by ensuring their safety and rendering an efficient and effective service on inland waters.
   
• SAPS vessels handlers nationally, deal of approximately 800 vessel handling operation operations annually. The aim of this division is to ensure the optical utilization of vessel of handlers, thereby ensuring that an effective delivery of service is rendered to the Community.

FUNCTIONS

Vessels Handlers perform this function as a secondary task on a voluntary basis. This is coupled with the fact that these functions are demanding and performed under dangerous circumstances. Police vessels handlers are required to exhibit true dedication, commitment and enthusiasm in fulfilling a task which is not always rewarding but can be considered very stressful. The following functions are performed by vessels handlers:

• conduct inland water patrols;
• conduct crime prevention operations on water (pro-active policing);
• transportation of police divers to conduct dive operations;
• conduct operations at water sport/ recreation events;
• participate in the water policing activities;
• regular access to police vessels to ensure the effective maintenance thereof; and
• provide a joint operational service with police divers

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CRITERIA

Any persons who is a functional police official and adheres to following criteria, may apply for training as a vessel handlers:

• be older than 21 years of age
• be able to swim 200 meters
• be free from water phobias
• be physically and psychologically fit to handle a vessel (APPLICANTS WILL BE MEDICALLY EXAMINED BY A DESIGNATED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER AND DECLARED FIT BEFORE UNDERGOING TRAINING AS VESSEL HANDLERS)
• applicant may not be colour blind;
• be able to run a distance of 2km within ten minutes;
• be able to do 40 pushups within one minute;
• be able to do 50 sit ups within one minute;
• be able to do 6 chin ups; and
• be able to do water treading for five minutes.

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY

For the purpose of addressing representivity; those members interested in the above field, but lack the necessary swimming skills, will be afforded the opportunity to undergo the swimming orientation programme. Successful candidates will thereafter be expected to fulfill the requirements in the terms selection criteria prior to his/her selection for training as vessels handlers.

TRAINING

All applicants must take cognisance of the training course, which comprises of the following:

• both theory and practical aspects of vessels handling;
• personal development and fitness;
• gaining knowledge on the use handling of vessels;
  operational procedure in managing water related incidents;
• knowledge on equipment and the maintenance thereof 

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