Framework
Governing: Merchant Shipping Act 57 of 1951; National Small Vessel Safety Regulations 2007 (as amended 2008); SAMSA Marine Notice 13 of 2011.
Why start with the law
Every question in the SAMSA skipper exam, and every conversation with a safety officer at a slipway, rests on three layers: an Act, a set of regulations, and SAMSA's written policy. If you know which layer a rule comes from you will know how firm it is and where to check it.
The three layers
| Layer | Instrument | Status (checked September 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Act | Merchant Shipping Act 57 of 1951 | In force. The replacement Merchant Shipping Bill B12-2023 was introduced on 11 May 2023 and lapsed on 21 May 2024. |
| Regulations | Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessel Safety) Regulations 2007, GNR 705 in Gazette 30151 of 8 August 2007, amended by GNR 731 of 11 July 2008 | In force. |
| Policy | SAMSA Marine Notice 13 of 2011 (replacing MN 13 of 2007) | Listed as valid in SAMSA's January 2025 index and cross-referred by MN 08-22. |
The regulations are short on detail about certificates. Regulation 16 says a certifying authority issues a certificate of competence when the applicant is fit, old enough and "satisfies the relevant requirements specified by the Authority". Those requirements live in the marine notice. That is why training schools quote MN 13 rather than the Gazette.
The drafts you will hear about
- February 2024: the Minister gave notice (GN R4374, Gazette 50129) of intent to repeal the 2007 regulations and replace them, with workshops in Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha and Pretoria.
- September 2025: a second draft (General Notice 3482, Gazette 53304, 5 September 2025) went out for comment.
CAUTION — Drafts are not law Neither draft has been made final in anything found for this course. Until a final notice appears in the Gazette, the 2007 regulations govern. Some operators and websites already describe the drafts as if they apply. Do not teach, or rely on, draft wording.
Who does what
| Body | Role under the regulations |
|---|---|
| SAMSA (the Authority) | Sets standards, appoints examiners, issues national certificates centrally, surveys commercial vessels |
| Authorised agencies | Sporting or boating bodies designated under regulation 30; number and inspect pleasure vessels, and may examine skippers |
| Appointed examiners and accredited institutions | The only two routes to a national certificate: examination by a SAMSA-appointed examiner, or training and examination by a SAMSA-accredited institution |
| Enforcement officers | Police officials, safety officers and SAMSA designees who may inspect and stop vessels |
Where this sits for yacht crew
Many South African superyacht crew start on a SAMSA small vessel ticket because they grew up with ski-boats, dive RIBs or a dinghy on a dam. The ticket is a national certificate of competence under the 2007 regulations. It is not an STCW certificate and it is not an MCA or RYA qualification. The later lessons show where it helps and where it does not. For the international route see From South Africa to Superyachts and SAMSA Seafarer Certification and the STCW Route.
TIP — Check before you quote SAMSA publishes a list of valid marine notices. When a school handout cites a notice, check that it still appears on that list.