Ancillary

From South Africa to Superyachts

SA-YACHT

Modules: 5
Lessons: 14
Questions: 70

Independent study. xplor is not a SAMSA-accredited training provider and awards no certificate or Certificate of Competency. Every certificate named in this course must be obtained from an accredited or approved training centre, examiner or issuing authority, and visa, tax and exchange-control points are general information, not legal or tax advice. AI-drafted content pending subject-matter-expert review.

Drafted from MCA MSN 1815 (M+F) Amendment 7 (2026), MCA MIN 643 (M+F) Short Courses (December 2022, expiring 30 September 2026), MCA guidance 'How to apply for a FSE for deck and engineer officers' and 'List of countries accepted towards issuing a UK FSE' (2025), MSN 1867 (M) (2015) as amended, the MCA list of approved doctors overseas (August 2026), the STCW Convention and Code (regs I/9 and VI/1), the Merchant Shipping Act 57 of 1951, SARS guidance on the foreign employment income exemption, SARS Interpretation Notes 4 (Issue 5, 2018) and 34 (Issue 2, 2017), Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 and Spanish consular guidance, US Department of State crewmember visa guidance, RYA commercial endorsement guidance, and South African training providers' published course pages (secondary). Status checks made 27 September 2026..

Rule notes (7)

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
- Merchant Shipping Bill [B12-2023] · B12-2023
- Merchant Shipping Act 57 of 1951 · Act 57 of 1951, as amended
- Stakeholders' consultations on the draft maritime regulations · SAMSA MIN 01-26
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
- Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessel Safety) Regulations 2007 (as amended) · GNR 705, Government Gazette 30151, 8 August 2007; amended by GNR 731, GG 31218, 11 July 2008
- Draft Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessel Safety) Regulations, 2024 · GN R.4374, Government Gazette 50129, 16 February 2024
- Draft Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessel Safety) Regulations, 2025 · General Notice 3482, Government Gazette 53304, 5 September 2025
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
- MSN 1815 (M+F) Amendment 7: countries whose seafarer medical certificates are acceptable for use on UK ships · MSN 1815 (M+F) Amendment 7
- MSN 1815 (M+F) Amendment 7: countries whose seafarer medical certificates have been assessed as meeting international requirements and are acceptable for use on UK ships · MSN 1815 (M+F) Amendment 7
- Gaining commercial endorsements · RYA careers web page
- Merchant Shipping (Training, Certification and Safe Manning) Regulations, 2021 · GG 44469, Notice 219 of 2021
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
- SAMSA policy on small vessel surveys, certification and numbering, and skipper qualification and certification · SAMSA Marine Notice No. 13 of 2007 (chapter 10 extract, hosted by Good Hope Sailing Academy)
- SAMSA interpretation of the regulations pertaining to, and internal policy on, small vessel surveys, certification and numbering, and skipper qualification and certification · SAMSA Marine Notice 13 of 2011
- Skipper Course Syllabus - Ocean (Policies & Procedures P-3, issue 4) · SASCA P-3, authorised 20 August 2008, based on MN 13 of 2007
Recent change
MCA's MIN 643 on SA short courses expires 30 September 2026
For a first UK CoC, MIN 643 accepts PST, FPFF, EFA and PSSR from any IMO White List administration, so SA basic training qualifies, but PSC&RB, AFF and medical courses only from the MCA or an EU/EEA administration. The December 2022 edition expires on 30 September 2026; check its replacement before buying advanced courses at home.
Sources
- MIN 643 (M+F) Short Courses · MIN 643 (M+F), December 2022 edition, expiry 30 September 2026
Not confirmed
Seafarer tax exemption: does your yacht count as a ship?
Most SA crew rely on s10(1)(o)(ii): only the first R1.25 million of foreign employment income is exempt, and only with more than 183 days outside SA in 12 months including 60 continuous days. Whether a particular yacht is a qualifying ship for the s10(1)(o)(i) seafarers' exemption is unsettled; a SARS binding private ruling is recommended. Use a registered tax practitioner.
Sources
- Foreign Employment Income Exemption · SARS web page on section 10(1)(o)(ii)
- FAQ: Exemption of remuneration earned by the crew member of a yacht · Tax Faculty FAQ
- Interpretation Note 34 (Issue 2): Exemption from normal tax - remuneration derived by a person as an officer or crew member of a ship · SARS Interpretation Note 34 (Issue 2), 2 February 2017
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
- Validity period for Small Vessel Interim Certificates of Competency extended (MIN 06-24) · SAMSA Marine Information Notice MIN 06-24
- Validity of seafarers' certificates post the state of disaster · SAMSA Marine Information Notice MIN 09-22

Jump to module

SA-YACHT-M1 · First certificates

4 lessons

SA-YACHT-M1-A Basic training, the medical, and the tender and radio tickets a South African needs before looking for a first yacht job.

In preparation

SA-YACHT-L1.1The South African route at a glanceSouth Africans crew a large share of the world's superyachts, but almost none of them do it on South African paperwork alone. This lesson maps **which tickets travel, which get topped up, and in what order**.SA-YACHT-L1.2STCW basic training in South AfricaYour first ticket is STCW basic training. Taken at a SAMSA-accredited school it is accepted by the MCA towards UK certificates, but **not every STCW short course travels equally**.SA-YACHT-L1.3The medical: SAMSA certificate or ENG1The ENG1 is the medical yachts ask for by name. A SAMSA seafarer medical is on the MCA's equivalence list, **but acceptance on paper and acceptance by a captain are not the same thing**.SA-YACHT-L1.4Radio and small-boat tickets: SRC, Powerboat Level 2 and SAMSA skipperAfter basic training and a medical, deck crew need to drive the tender and talk on the radio. **Which radio and boat tickets to take in South Africa**, and how a SAMSA skipper ticket fits.

SA-YACHT-M2 · Career tickets and recognition

3 lessons

SA-YACHT-M2-A The deck and engineering ladders South Africans climb, and how SAMSA STCW certificates are recognised by the UK.

In preparation

SA-YACHT-L2.1Deck careers: Yachtmaster and beyond, from South AfricaMost South African deck officers on superyachts started with an RYA Yachtmaster taken at home. **How the deck ladder works for a South African**, and where SAMSA tickets and SA sea time help.SA-YACHT-L2.2Engineering: the AEC and the yacht engineer route from South AfricaYacht engineers start with the MCA Approved Engine Course, and **South African schools advertise it in Cape Town and Durban**. How to start, and what to do if you already hold SA engineering qualifications.SA-YACHT-L2.3SAMSA STCW CoCs abroad: the UK Flag State EndorsementAn officer with a SAMSA STCW CoC can seek a **UK Flag State Endorsement (formerly CEC)**. South Africa is on the MCA's list; this lesson covers what the endorsement is and what it is not.

SA-YACHT-M3 · Passports and visas

2 lessons

SA-YACHT-M3-A Schengen, US and Caribbean entry for South African passport holders working on yachts.

In preparation

SA-YACHT-L3.1Passports and the Schengen visaA green passport needs a visa for almost everywhere yachts work. The Schengen visa is the first hurdle for the Mediterranean, and **its rules on purpose and duration shape how you look for work**.SA-YACHT-L3.2US visas and working in the CaribbeanThe American season runs out of Fort Lauderdale and the Caribbean. **B-1, B-1/B-2 and C-1/D visas** each have their place, and choosing the wrong one causes trouble at the port of entry.

SA-YACHT-M4 · Getting the first job

2 lessons

SA-YACHT-M4-A Choosing a hub, dockwalking, agencies, the CV and the trial trip.

In preparation

SA-YACHT-L4.1Where to look: Antibes, Palma and Fort LauderdaleJobs go to people who are on the dock when the season starts. **Which hub, when, and how to dockwalk** without wasting money or goodwill.SA-YACHT-L4.2CV, agencies, interviews and the trial tripA yacht CV is read in about thirty seconds. **What to put on it as a South African**, how to use agencies, and how to survive the trial trip.

SA-YACHT-M5 · Money and the long game

3 lessons

SA-YACHT-M5-A SARS, banking and exchange control, and planning a career in each department.

In preparation

SA-YACHT-L5.1SARS and the yacht salarySouth Africa taxes residents on worldwide income. Two exemptions matter to yacht crew, and **neither is as simple as the crew-mess version**.SA-YACHT-L5.2Banking, the rand and exchange controlYacht salaries are paid in euros or dollars; lives at home are paid in rand. **Where to keep money, how to move it home, and what replaced 'financial emigration'**.SA-YACHT-L5.3Planning the career: deck, interior, engineeringThe first job is a start, not a plan. **Three departments, three ladders**, and how a South African can use home seasons and rand-priced training to climb them.