Established in 2007 with the recognition of people requiring to become qualified competent power boat skippers, of vessels <9m in length. Our target market started off with the recreational fisherman and soon grew to accommodate employees of companies in the marine industry. We have become known as “the-one-stop-shop” and pride ourselves in being able to accommodate people from as far as Botswana, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and America.
Course dates are set up 3 – 4 months prior, thereby allowing people to plan ahead. Customised courses and dates have previously been arranged for companies who have had more than one employee requiring becoming qualified.
Our courses are presented in a relaxed conversational environment via power point presentation, interactive discussion and hands-on practical training.
Serving the marine industry from the general everyday recreational fisherman to companies; in the tourism industry:- the likes of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Msinsi Holdings and Calypso Dive & Adventure. Environmental agencies such as South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Drizit Environmental Clean Up and Spill Tech Oil & Chemical Pollution Control. Salvage companies who have sent employees are Smit Amandla Marine, Stefanutti Stocks Marine, T&T Marine. Other organisations whom we have had come through are South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), SARS Customs Services, Municipal Lifeguards and Transnet National Ports Authority.
An additional attribute to Dawson’s Skipper Training is providing safety boats for marine surveys, diving expeditions as well as a platform for TV production cameramen to capture various sporting events at sea.
The partners (Paul Dawson & Wendy Serfontein) have an accumulative 37 years’ experience serving as volunteers of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), and are both qualified Class III Rescue Coxswains.
Paul has an auto electrical background and has been teaching skippers since 2005. He is a recognized SAMSA Examiner and Surveyor. He is also qualified in Scouting, Level III Advanced Responder First Aid, Advanced Fire Fighting, 4x4 Vehicle handling, Swift Water Rescue, VHF Marine Radio Operations as well as Rescue Scuba Diver and soon to be a qualified Dive Master.
Wendy’s background is in the travel & tourism industry. Having worked for Five Star game reserves, resort hotels and top-notch travel agencies; her attention to detail ensures a hassle free booking with Dawson’s Skipper Training. Wendy is also qualified in Level III Advanced Responder First Aid, Advanced Fire Fighting, 4x4 Vehicle handling, Swift Water Rescue and VHF Marine Radio Operations.
With over 2200 people becoming qualified through Dawson’s Skipper Training, we have seen many different kinds of people; from families, scholars, university graduates, doctors, specialist surgeons, airline pilots, business directors, MD’s, CEO’s and business owners. By keeping the size of each course to a maximum of 8 (eight) people we are able to ensure personalized attention to each person doing course with us. Our slogan “Safety Through Experience” sums-up our passion to ensure people experience what it is to be safe on the water.