SAMSA Skipper's Courses
The Skippers courses and licencing are for power driven vessels under 9m in length.
We also offer the SRC VHF+DSC marine radio courses, please request separate info for that. (For boats operating Category D, C or B or vessels that have a VHF radio on board)
Courses
The courses are all SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) approved and are for power driven vessels only, from Restricted waters (dams, rivers or estuaries) or 1, 15 or 40NM (ocean).
Prerequisite sea time/ hours at sea
You are required to have completed a minimum of 25 hours sea time Category R, E, C (helming the vessel yourself) prior to being able to obtain a skipper’s license. (Verified on a log sheet provided) one can attend the course without the hours but cannot receive a licence until these hours are obtained.
You have a maximum of 2 years to complete this prerequisite and complete and pass all requirements, otherwise you will forfeit your course fees and must start from the beginning again.
We do offer boat handling courses where you can obtain the sea time either using our vessel or your own at an hourly rate. If you need more info on the boat handling course, then please request info.
Course material
We supply all course materials which is included in the price. (The forms that get completed and sent to SAMSA in Pretoria) and all lectures and logbooks.
Licences
Licences will be available immediately on completion of the course providing all requirements are met, which includes completed paperwork, passing the theory, oral and practical evaluation.
You will be issued with an interim certificate valid for 6 months while your application will be sent to SAMSA Pretoria for processing. This licence is a valid skipper’s licence.
Your original can take up to 6 months to arrive back from SAMSA.
You will be notified by SMS when your original is ready for collection.
Collection will be at the same address as the course you attended.
CATEGORIES
Skipper- Inland waters Category R (Any category R vessel.) Operating in rivers, tidal rivers, dams, estuaries, lagoons and fishing harbours.)
Entry Requirement
Doctor’s Certificate and eye test
Proof of identity-copy
Over 16 years old
25 hours of skippering, on vessels of the appropriate length certified by a qualified skipper taking responsibility for tutorship. (Sea-time recorded on any category vessel is acceptable for category R) or 100 hours of active crewing time verified by the skipper.
The prescribed written, oral, and practical examination.
Day Skipper Category E (< 9m in length, 1 Nautical mile out at sea and Inland waters)
Entry Requirement
Doctor’s Certificate and eye test
Proof of identity-copy
Over 16 years old
25 hours of skippering, on vessels of the appropriate length certified by a qualified skipper taking responsibility for tutorship. (The sea-time requirements must be obtained on category E or higher vessels or 100 hours of active crewing time verified by the skipper.
The prescribed written, oral, and practical examination.
Day Skipper Category C (< 9m in length 15 Nautical miles out at sea)
Entry Requirements
Doctor’s Certificate and eye test
Proof of identity-copy
25 hours of sea service on vessels of the appropriate length certified by a qualified skipper taking responsibility for tutorship (The sea-time requirements may be obtained on either category C or D vessels.)
The prescribed written, oral, and practical examination.
Day Skipper Category B (< 9m in length 40 Nautical miles out at sea)
Entry Requirements
Doctor’s Certificate and eye test
Proof of identity -copy
Over 16 years old
50 hours of skippering, on Category B vessels of the appropriate length certified by a qualified skipper taking responsibility for tutorship (The sea-time requirements must be obtained on category B)
The prescribed written, oral, and practical examination.
Skipper Coastal < 9 m (40 Nautical miles out at sea and night rating)
Entry Requirements
Eyesight Test Certificate
Doctor’s Certificate
Proof of identity
Over 18 years old
200 hours of skippering, on Category B or higher vessels < 9 meters certified by a skipper taking responsibility for tutorship and of which at least 50 hours must be night hours completed in a logbook.
The prescribed written, practical, and oral examination. (Candidate has to be in the possession of at least a Category C Skipper license)
Practical using your own Category B vessel demonstrating your skippering abilities at 40NM out to sea.
Endorsements: Dive Skipper if the candidate is qualified.
The candidate needs to have a minimum of Dive Master Diver qualification or equivalent and be older than 18 years of age.
Plus 10 hours logged practical skippering on a dive boat with a SAMSA appointed examiner. Fee = R450 for Examining on a dive boat.
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