Certificate scope
Governing: MN 13 of 2011 (policy), checked against MN 13 of 2007, sections 10.1–10.3. Builds on: SAMSA Skipper: Categories R, E, D, C and B.
The top of the small vessel ladder
The day certificates stop at sunset. The two certificates in this course are what SAMSA regards as the substantive ones:
| Certificate | Length division | Area and hours | Vessel ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Skipper | 9 m or less | Coastal passages, day or night, within 40 nm of the coastline | Small motor vessel |
| Coastal Skipper | Over 9 m | As above | Commercial under 25 GT; pleasure under 100 GT |
| Skipper Offshore | 9 m or less | Any extended or ocean passage | Small motor vessel |
| Skipper Offshore | Over 9 m | As above | Commercial under 25 GT; recreational under 100 GT, per the certificate wording |
Coastal Skipper is Category B distance with night added. Skipper Offshore is not tied to a distance category; the vessel's own category still binds (a Category B boat stays inside 40 nm whoever is aboard).
Night is the dividing line
SAMSA's text is unusually direct: a candidate who cannot reach the knowledge to take a vessel 40 miles offshore cannot be called a coastal skipper, and cannot navigate at night (sunset to sunrise), except under a limited endorsement. Night hours are therefore central to the sea-time requirement, and examiners are told to check that they have been properly logged. See L1.2.
The 9 m line matters more here
At day level the two divisions are nearly the same. At Coastal and Offshore level SAMSA calls the over-9 m certificates "substantive", and says they are intended to allow a future crossover to STCW (fishing) and then to STCW certification. The over-9 m Offshore adds power (machinery) and law modules.
Who examines:
- Over 9 m, commercial: SAMSA officers appointed as examiners, at a SAMSA office. No one else.
- Over 9 m, via an agency: valid for pleasure only. Converting to commercial needs an extra SAMSA oral.
- 9 m or less: one national certificate for both pleasure and commercial power-driven use.
Sailing vessels
SAMSA's standard is a motor certificate. SA Sailing issues the certificates for pleasure sailing vessels over 9 m and is described by SA Sailing as the only body SAMSA has authorised to do so. Sailing competence appears on a national certificate as a sailing endorsement. A charter yacht skipper therefore typically holds an SA Sailing Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster and a SAMSA commercial certificate with sailing endorsement. See L1.4.
Above the ceiling
Commercial vessels of 25 GT and over sit outside the small vessel certificates. SAMSA's list of valid notices includes MN 6 of 2014 on sail and motor yachts over 25 GT but under 100 GT used for charter, which is where larger South African charter yachts are dealt with; its text was not reviewed for this lesson. Anything larger is STCW territory: SAMSA Seafarer Certification and the STCW Route.
Worked example
A 14 m sportfisher of 18 GT runs paying anglers to the canyon 25 nm off, leaving at 04:00.
- Commercial, over 9 m, under 25 GT: over-9 m commercial division.
- 25 nm off: within 40 nm, so Coastal distance.
- Departs before sunrise: night operation.
The skipper needs Coastal Skipper over 9 m, commercial, examined by SAMSA. A Day Skipper B would cover the distance but not the 04:00 departure.