Recognition both ways
Governing: 2021 Regulations, regs 98 and 99; STCW Regulation I/10; SAMSA MIN 10-25; MCA MSN 1867 (M) Amendment 1. Builds on: L1.2.
STCW Regulation I/10 lets one administration endorse another's certificate so the holder can serve on its ships. It never converts the certificate: the endorsement lives alongside the original and dies with it.
Foreign officers on South African ships
Under regulation 98, the owner of an SA ship to which STCW applies may not employ a foreign-certificated master or officer unless:
- the certificate has been endorsed by SAMSA under regulation 99; or
- it is a valid STCW certificate, employment will not exceed 3 months, and the owner applied for the endorsement before the officer joined, with proof of the application on board.
For SA ships outside STCW, the owner needs a written authorisation under section 83(2) of the Act, valid for no more than six months.
SAMSA will endorse under regulation 99 only if the certificate is authentic and valid, the competence is not inferior to the SA equivalent, and, for master, chief mate, chief engineer and second engineer, the holder knows enough South African maritime legislation. SAMSA may recognise only Parties it has evaluated and with which it has an undertaking on notifying changes.
The MOU list: MIN 10-25
MIN 10-25 (issued 1 August 2025) lists the administrations with recognition arrangements, in two columns: whether they accept SA certificates, and whether SA accepts theirs. Selected rows relevant to yachting:
| Administration | Accepts SA certificates | SA accepts theirs |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | Yes |
| Marshall Islands | Yes | No |
| Cyprus | Yes | Yes |
| Isle of Man | Yes | No |
| Bahamas | Yes | No |
| Liberia | Yes | No |
| Australia | Yes | Yes |
| Croatia | No | Yes |
Malta and the Cayman Islands do not appear in the list. That does not prove they refuse SAMSA certificates; it means the notice records no MOU. Check with the flag.
CAUTION — Check the expiry MIN 10-25 carries an expiry date of 31 July 2026 "or unless withdrawn". Before advising anyone, look for a newer MIN on SAMSA's site.
SAMSA certificates on UK ships
The MCA's list of countries accepted for a UK Flag State Endorsement (FSE), also called a Certificate of Equivalent Competency (CEC), includes South Africa, with GMDSS accepted and no proof of English required (page updated 30 January 2025). MSN 1867 (M) Amendment 1 sets the rules:
- The FSE/CEC is issued like for like against your CoC and is not a qualification; it is valid only with the CoC.
- Near-coastal limitations carry across as near-coastal to South Africa.
- Masters must pass the UKLAP 1 exam (oral at an MCA marine office or written through an approved body), unless a company adaptation period applies. Chief mates, chief and second engineers need UKLAP grade 2 knowledge, assessed by their company.
- Apply on form MSF 4203 with attested copies of the CoC and passport or discharge book, photos and the fee.
- For port state control you should hold evidence of updating PST, survival craft, fast rescue boat (if held), firefighting and advanced firefighting within the last 5 years.
Worked comparison
A SAMSA Chief Mate (<3 000 GT) wants to serve as chief officer on a 2 800 GT UK-flag yacht. Tonnage: 2 800 < 3 000, so within the CoC limit. With a UK FSE issued like for like, she may serve. The same certificate would not cover a 3 200 GT yacht.