Deck

SAMSA Coastal Skipper and Skipper Offshore

SA-SKIP-CO

Modules
4
Lessons
14
Questions
70

Independent study. xplor is not a SAMSA-accredited training provider and awards no certificate or Certificate of Competency. Coastal Skipper and Skipper Offshore are obtained only by SAMSA-recognised examination with properly logged sea time, night hours and overnight passages, and, for commercial vessels over 9 m, examination by SAMSA officers. 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, GG 30151, as amended 2008); SAMSA Marine Notices 13 of 2011 and 13 of 2007 (section 10), MN 08-22 and SAMSA's list of valid marine notices (January 2025); SAMSA small vessel brochures; the SA Sailing skipper tickets pages and FAQ; the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore and commercial endorsement pages; MCA MSN 1815 (M) Amendment 6 (2021); NSRI and MRCC Cape Town contact information; and secondary passage and oceanographic sources on the Agulhas Current..

Rule notes (6)

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Rule to know

    SAMSA does not accept RYA tickets for local skippering

    SA Sailing states that SAMSA does not accept an RYA qualification as a local skipper's certificate. The only statutory concession is reg 16(7): a non-resident pleasure skipper with a valid foreign licence is deemed certificated for three months after arrival. Crew who do SA charter or dive work between seasons need the SAMSA ticket as well.

    Sources

  6. 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

SA-SKIP-CO-M1 · The certificates and how they connect

4 lessons

SA-SKIP-CO-M1-A Scope of Coastal Skipper and Skipper Offshore, entry and sea time, the examinations, and recognition across SA Sailing, RYA and MCA.

In preparation
SA-SKIP-CO-L1.1Where Coastal Skipper and Skipper Offshore sitThese are the **night-capable** SAMSA small vessel certificates. Coastal takes you 40 nm off, day or night; Offshore takes you anywhere, within the **25 GT commercial / 100 GT pleasure** ceilings.PreviewSA-SKIP-CO-L1.2Entry requirements and sea timeThe routes to Coastal and Offshore are long and specific: **night hours, overnight passages, and for over 9 m, a SAMSA medical and four ancillary certificates**. Plan them a year out.LockedSA-SKIP-CO-L1.3The examinationsCoastal and Offshore are examined by **written paper and practical**, with a SAMSA **oral** for commercial over 9 m. Night work and chartwork are where candidates fail.LockedSA-SKIP-CO-L1.4SA Sailing, RYA and MCA: what recognises whatSouth African crew live between three systems. **SAMSA does not accept RYA tickets for local skippering**; the **MCA does not list SAMSA small vessel certificates**; and SA medicals are accepted on UK ships.Locked

SA-SKIP-CO-M2 · Coastal passage planning in South African waters

4 lessons

SA-SKIP-CO-M2-A The Agulhas Current, coastal weather windows, harbours and entrances, and chartwork and tides for the SA coast.

In preparation
SA-SKIP-CO-L2.1The Agulhas Current and course to steerOn the east and south coasts the **Agulhas Current** decides your passage time, your fuel and your sea state. Learn where its axis runs and how to steer across and along it.LockedSA-SKIP-CO-L2.2Coastal weather and choosing the windowSouth African coastal passages are planned around **fronts, coastal lows and the south-westerly change**. The window is the product; the boat is the tool.LockedSA-SKIP-CO-L2.3Harbours, bolt-holes and river entrancesThe South African coast is long, exposed and short of shelter. A coastal passage plan is a list of **where you can go if it goes wrong**, with the entry conditions for each.LockedSA-SKIP-CO-L2.4Chartwork and tides on the South African coastCoastal Skipper chartwork is **course to steer, fixes, tidal height and clearance**. South African tides are modest, but a bar entrance or a shallow slipway can still turn on half a metre.Locked

SA-SKIP-CO-M3 · Night, heavy weather and offshore

3 lessons

SA-SKIP-CO-M3-A Night navigation and lights, heavy weather and the east coast abnormal-wave zone, and preparing a vessel and crew for offshore passages.

In preparation
SA-SKIP-CO-L3.1Night navigationNight is what the Coastal certificate adds. It is also where fatigue, shore lights and misidentified vessels catch skippers who were competent at noon.LockedSA-SKIP-CO-L3.2Heavy weather and abnormal wavesSouth Africa's east coast has a charted warning few coasts share: **abnormal waves of up to 20 m** where a south-westerly meets the Agulhas Current. The answer is where you put the boat.LockedSA-SKIP-CO-L3.3Offshore passages: preparation, equipment and fuelSkipper Offshore is the certificate for **extended and ocean passages**. The paperwork is the easy part; the boat must be Category A, the crew self-sufficient, and the fuel sums done twice.Locked

SA-SKIP-CO-M4 · Safety, SAR and commercial operations

3 lessons

SA-SKIP-CO-M4-A Search and rescue in South Africa, running a commercial small vessel, and turning SAMSA certificates into a superyacht career.

In preparation
SA-SKIP-CO-L4.1Search and rescue in South AfricaSouth African SAR is a partnership: **SAMSA's MRCC Cape Town** coordinates, the **NSRI** launches most of the boats, and your job is to raise the alarm early and accurately.LockedSA-SKIP-CO-L4.2Commercial operations under 25 GTA commercial ticket is also a management job: **annual SAMSA surveys, manning, safety induction, weekly drills, crew records**. The owner is liable; so is the skipper who goes to sea without them.LockedSA-SKIP-CO-L4.3From SAMSA Coastal and Offshore to superyachtsCoastal and Offshore make you a proper small-boat skipper at home. On a superyacht they are **evidence, not a qualification**. Here is how to use them without paying twice.Locked