Ratings, sea service and records
Governing: 2021 Regulations, regs 10 to 12, 17, 63 to 72; SAMSA FOP-518. Builds on: L1.3.
Every certificate in this course is bought with sea service, and SAMSA counts it in a particular way. Get the paperwork right as you go, not in a panic the week before an application.
Rating certificates of proficiency
| Certificate | STCW | Entry (standard route) | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Seafarer Deck | II/4 | Age 16; 6 months deck service on vessels ≥25 GT, onboard training with a steering certificate, provisional certificate from the master | 2 months |
| Able Seafarer Deck | II/5 | Age 18; hold OS Deck; 18 months deck service on trading ships ≥100 GT, record book | 12 months |
| Ordinary Seafarer Engine | III/4 | Age 16; 6 months on trading ships ≥750 kW, provisional certificate from the chief engineer | 2 months |
| Able Seafarer Engine | III/5 | Age 18; hold OS Engine; 12 months on trading ships ≥750 kW, record book | 6 months |
The provisional OS certificate is issued on board and is valid for six months; it must be exchanged for the SAMSA certificate within that time.
Documents that prove service
- Seafarer's Record Book. SAMSA's discharge book, the SA equivalent of a continuous discharge certificate. Regulation 11 accepts a duly completed record book, or certificates of discharge, as proof of the service recorded. SAMSA form FOP-518 says applicants must be an SA citizen, SA seafarer or fisher, or be employed on an SA-registered vessel, and must supply a medical from a SAMSA-approved practitioner, ID or passport, photos and (for first-timers) a familiarisation or pre-sea course certificate and an employment letter.
- Training record book. The approved book in which Level 1 onboard training is signed off. Cadets live by it.
- Watchkeeping certificates and testimonials. Signed by Masters (deck) or Chief Engineers (engine); see Lesson 2.1.
- Declaration of qualifying service, with a written explanation of any gaps.
How SAMSA counts
- From engagement to discharge, both days inclusive, at 30 days to a month and 12 months to a year.
- Service must be no more than 10 years old at the date of application.
- Port operations: a shift of at least 8 hours in 24 counts as one day, never more than one day per day.
- Ships not regularly going to sea: full credit if at least two-thirds of the time was at sea; otherwise 1.5 times the days actually at sea.
- Stand-by during construction or refit: counts in full but capped at one-third of required service (one-quarter on accelerated training).
- Foreign-flag service counts unless SAMSA cannot verify it.
Worked example
A deck cadet signs on 1 March and signs off 30 June. Days: 31 + 30 + 31 + 30 = 122 days, both ends included. At 30 days a month that is 4 months 2 days.
Now a research ship that did not regularly go to sea: 300 days on board, 150 at sea. 150 / 300 = 0.5, which is less than two-thirds, so credit = 1.5 × 150 = 225 days (7 months 15 days).
And a refit: an OOW candidate on the 36-month route may count up to 36 ÷ 3 = 12 months of stand-by. On a 12-month accelerated programme the cap is 12 ÷ 4 = 3 months.
WARNING — Misrepresented service Wilfully misrepresenting service disqualifies you until you make up the deficiency plus an additional 12 months (reg 17). Forgery or bribery brings a one-year ban from assessment (reg 15). Yacht crew sometimes sign each other's testimonials casually; do not.
Yacht crew and the record book
Yachts under foreign flags keep their own crew lists and discharge records. Ask the captain to sign your SAMSA record book at each sign-off, and keep the MCA-style testimonials too. Two sets of evidence cost nothing and save months later. For the MCA side, see Yacht Rating Certificate and Competent Crew to Day Skipper.