Ancillary

SAMSA Commercial Endorsements: Passenger, Dive, Surf Launch and Sailing

SA-ENDORSE

Modules: 4
Lessons: 10
Questions: 50

Independent study. xplor is not a SAMSA-accredited training provider and awards no certificate or Certificate of Competency. Every endorsement described here is examined and issued only by SAMSA, its appointed examiners or authorised agencies, and any practical demonstration must be completed before them. AI-drafted content pending subject-matter-expert review.

Drafted from the Merchant Shipping Act 57 of 1951; the Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessel Safety) Regulations 2007 (GNR 705 of 8 August 2007, as amended by GNR 731 of 11 July 2008); the Draft National Small Vessel Safety Regulations 2024 (GN R.4374 of 16 February 2024); the Merchant Shipping (Training, Certification and Safe Manning) Regulations 2021 (GN 219 of 23 April 2021); SAMSA Marine Notices 13 of 2007 and 17 of 2008; SAMSA Marine Information Notices MIN 09-22 and MIN 06-24; SAMSA's list of valid Marine Notices (24 January 2025); SAMSA's Category R passenger vessel checklist (2011); the SA Sailing Category C sailing vessel checklist (2013); and the RYA commercial endorsement application (CERT 5441). One training provider page is used as a labelled secondary source..

Rule notes (5)

Rule to know
SA's 1951 Merchant Shipping Act is still in force
The Merchant Shipping Bill B12-2023 was introduced on 11 May 2023 but, when checked on 27 September 2026, had not passed either House. Draft regulations gazetted on 24 December 2025 were still made under the Merchant Shipping Act 57 of 1951. Treat anything you read about the new Act as proposed, not law.
Sources
- Merchant Shipping Bill [B12-2023] · B12-2023
- Merchant Shipping Act 57 of 1951 · Act 57 of 1951, as amended
- Stakeholders' consultations on the draft maritime regulations · SAMSA MIN 01-26
Rule to know
Small vessel certificates still run on the 2007 Regulations
The National Small Vessel Safety Regulations 2007 remain the working rules. Replacement drafts were published in 2024 and on 5 September 2025 (GN 3482, GG 53304), but none was confirmed as gazetted in final form. Check for a commencement notice before relying on any draft change.
Sources
- Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessel Safety) Regulations 2007 (as amended) · GNR 705, Government Gazette 30151, 8 August 2007; amended by GNR 731, GG 31218, 11 July 2008
- Draft Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessel Safety) Regulations, 2024 · GN R.4374, Government Gazette 50129, 16 February 2024
- Draft Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessel Safety) Regulations, 2025 · General Notice 3482, Government Gazette 53304, 5 September 2025
Rule to know
SAMSA medical on UK ships: accepted, but it is not an ENG1
MSN 1815 (M+F) Amendment 7 (13 August 2026) lists South Africa among countries whose seafarer medicals are accepted on UK ships, but it does not let SA doctors issue an ENG1 and does not cover non-commercial pleasure yachts. The RYA commercial endorsement names only ENG1 or ML5. In the other direction, SAMSA requires examination by a SAMSA-approved practitioner. Carry both if you work in both systems.
Sources
- MSN 1815 (M+F) Amendment 7: countries whose seafarer medical certificates are acceptable for use on UK ships · MSN 1815 (M+F) Amendment 7
- MSN 1815 (M+F) Amendment 7: countries whose seafarer medical certificates have been assessed as meeting international requirements and are acceptable for use on UK ships · MSN 1815 (M+F) Amendment 7
- Gaining commercial endorsements · RYA careers web page
- Merchant Shipping (Training, Certification and Safe Manning) Regulations, 2021 · GG 44469, Notice 219 of 2021
Not confirmed
Small vessel figures come from MN 13 of 2007, not the current notice
Sea-time routes, entry requirements and endorsement rules in the SAMSA skipper courses are taken from MN 13 of 2007. SAMSA lists MN 13 of 2011 as the valid notice, but its text could not be obtained, and pass marks come from an agency syllabus (2008). Confirm figures with SAMSA or your examiner before booking.
Sources
- SAMSA policy on small vessel surveys, certification and numbering, and skipper qualification and certification · SAMSA Marine Notice No. 13 of 2007 (chapter 10 extract, hosted by Good Hope Sailing Academy)
- SAMSA interpretation of the regulations pertaining to, and internal policy on, small vessel surveys, certification and numbering, and skipper qualification and certification · SAMSA Marine Notice 13 of 2011
- Skipper Course Syllabus - Ocean (Policies & Procedures P-3, issue 4) · SASCA P-3, authorised 20 August 2008, based on MN 13 of 2007
Recent change
Small vessel interim certificates: extensions ended 31 March 2025
An interim small vessel certificate issued after a pass is valid for six months while the card is printed. MIN 06-24 extended affected interims only to 31 March 2025, and no later extension was found. If your card has not arrived, chase SAMSA rather than sailing on an old interim.
Sources
- Validity period for Small Vessel Interim Certificates of Competency extended (MIN 06-24) · SAMSA Marine Information Notice MIN 06-24
- Validity of seafarers' certificates post the state of disaster · SAMSA Marine Information Notice MIN 09-22

Jump to module

SA-ENDORSE-M1 · The Commercial Small Vessel Regime

3 lessons

SA-ENDORSE-M1-A What makes a vessel commercial, what the owner and skipper must do, and how endorsements attach to a SAMSA certificate.

In preparation

SA-ENDORSE-L1.1What Makes a Small Vessel CommercialCharge a fare, carry a diver or take a paying guest fishing and you have left the pleasure regime. **Everything in this course hangs on that line.**Preview SA-ENDORSE-L1.2Owner and Skipper Duties on a Commercial VesselThe Regulations put the weight on the owner and the skipper, not on the surveyor. **Know which duty is yours before the boat leaves the slip.**Locked SA-ENDORSE-L1.3How Endorsements Attach to a CertificateA South African small vessel certificate is a base ticket plus endorsements. **The endorsement, not the base ticket, is what makes you legal on a dive or passenger boat.**Locked

SA-ENDORSE-M2 · Passenger Vessels

2 lessons

SA-ENDORSE-M2-A The passenger endorsement and the construction, stability and operating rules for carrying more than twelve passengers.

In preparation

SA-ENDORSE-L2.1The Passenger Vessel EndorsementMore than twelve passengers changes the vessel, the skipper's licence and the survey. **Thirteen is the number to remember.**Locked SA-ENDORSE-L2.2Running a Passenger VesselThe passenger endorsement is on your certificate; the boat has its own list. **Know the construction, stability and equipment rules well enough to spot a boat that should not sail.**Locked

SA-ENDORSE-M3 · Dive Boats and Surf Launching

3 lessons

SA-ENDORSE-M3-A The dive skipper and surf launching endorsements, and running dive and beach-launched operations on South African coasts.

In preparation

SA-ENDORSE-L3.1The Dive Skipper EndorsementSouth Africa's dive and shark-cage trade runs on small boats, often through surf. **The dive endorsement is the minimum SAMSA accepts to skipper them.**Locked SA-ENDORSE-L3.2Dive Boat Operations and Diver RecallThe regulations give you the flag, the grab-line and the rack. **Keeping count of heads in the water is on you.**Locked SA-ENDORSE-L3.3Surf Launching and Beaching on South African CoastsThe standard certificate assumes a harbour or protected slipway. **Punching through a south-east coast shore break is a separate licence.**Locked

SA-ENDORSE-M4 · Sailing, Night Work and the Route Abroad

2 lessons

SA-ENDORSE-M4-A Sailing and night authority on SAMSA certificates, and how SAMSA endorsements compare with the RYA/MCA commercial endorsement.

In preparation

SA-ENDORSE-L4.1Sailing, Night and Commercial ChartersSAMSA's national certificate is a motor ticket. **Sailing charters and night work each need something added.**Locked SA-ENDORSE-L4.2SAMSA Endorsements Versus the MCA/RYA Route AbroadYour SAMSA endorsements make you legal at home. **On a Red Ensign or Cayman yacht, it is the RYA/MCA paperwork that the captain asks for.**Locked