How to Become A Skipper In South Africa

Skipper usually means a person who commands a boat or ship.

Why is a captain called a skipper?

Why is the captain of the team is called a skipper? Skipper originated from the Dutch word ‘shipper’ (literally ‘shipper’). Skipper usually means a person who commands a boat or ship. In naval terms, a skipper is responsible for the care and safety of the vessel, ship, yacht or boat.

Is a skipper a pirate?

One of the unique characters Chaucer introduces to us is the Skipper, a pirate and expert navigator who is the captain of a ship named Maudelayne. The first thing we realize about the Skipper through Chaucer’s description of him is that he is not a man of fine extravagance or wealth.

What does a skipper do?

A skipper is a person who has command of a boat or watercraft and is more or less equivalent to a captain in charge of a ship. The skipper may or may not be the owner of the boat.

How to Become A Skipper In South Africa

Welcome to Skipper Training SA

Skipper Training South Africa, your leading training, exam and license provider situated in the heart of Cape Town. Our Powerboat and Jet Ski courses run from the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town as well as Simons Town.

Due to our certified courses and exams being of the highest quality instruction, we produce knowledgeable and safe water users as well as instructors. We provide courses and exams for South African Skipper licenses, Radio licenses as well as the International Super Yacht industry.

SAMSA Skippers License – South African waters – Sea – Dam – River. The SAMSA Skippers license is required for powered vessels under 9 meters with an engine over 15hp. We are accredited by SAMSA for training and examiners for under 9m vessels

The RYA Powerboat Certificates of Competence are used all over the world by skippers working around harbours and offshore. International, commercial (RYA/MCA) and recreational ICC certificates available. We are the leading skipper training academy in South Africa.

Superyacht career Courses. Are you interested in working as a deckhand or stewardess on luxury superyachts? Our Superyacht Crew Training courses is designed to meet the growing demand for well-trained professional crew on luxury yachts and superyachts

SAMSA SOUTH AFRICAN TRAINING AND LICENSES

SKIPPERS TRAINING COURSES

SAMSA Skippers License – South African waters – Sea – Dam – River

We provide Skippers Training Courses such as the SAMSA Skippers license is required for powered vessels under 9 meters with an engine over 15hp. We provide training as qualified skippers to the requirements set out by SAMSA. The Exam includes a written paper Oral questions and practical test.

As well as being SAMSA skippers your tutor will also be trained as a powerboat instructor in the RYA scheme. We use independent examiners which are arranged for you.

If you have a PWC (Jet Ski) the rules are basically the same as for normal skipper’s license. We would recommend doing the normal SAMSA skippers license and the RYA PWC (Jet Ski) course.

Visiting skippers can use their international license like the RYA qualifications. However if you are resident you would need to convert to SAMSA or SAS at some point.

SAMSA Inland Skippers – Category R – Under 9m Vessel (1 Day)

SHELTERED WATERS – R

This is the entry level skipper’s certification for all Inland Waters and Lagoons, Rivers and Estuaries.

This exam process has no practical boat training or navigational training as part of the process. To book the extra training refer to the section on boat handling and navigational training at the start of the SAMSA courses above.

The exam process consists of a training session using the NSRI/SAMSA manual followed by a written exam. This is normally a few days later to allow you time to brush up on the content of the manual. A short practical boat test with some oral questions follows a day or so later.

We will be pleased advise you on the course/s you need. Fill out the form on the right or give us a call.

SAMSA 1 Mile Offshore – Category E – Under 9m Vessel (1 Day)

DAY SKIPPER – E

This is the entry level skipper’s certification for all offshore certificates of Competence and allows the holder to operate One Nautical Mile offshore and 15 miles along the coast.

This exam process has no practical boat training or navigational training as part of the process. To book the extra training refer to the section on boat handling and navigational training at the start of the SAMSA courses above.

The exam process consists of a training session using the NSRI/SAMSA manual followed by a written exam. This is normally a few days later to allow you time to brush up on the content of the manual. A short practical boat test with some oral questions follows a day or so later.

On passing your exam an interim certificate is issued. A full certificate is issued from SAMSA a few months later.

We will be pleased advise you on the course/s you need. Fill out the enquiry form on the right or give us a call.

SAMSA 15 Mile Offshore – Category C – Under 9m Vessel (1 Day)

15 MILE OFF SHORE – DAY SKIPPER – C

This license is for skippers who wish to operate up to 15 miles offshore during daylight hours from a safe launch site. This exam process has no practical boat training or navigational training as part of the process. To book the extra training refer to the section on boat handling and navigational training at the start of the SAMSA courses above.

The exam process consists of a training session using the NSRI/SAMSA manual followed by a written exam. This is normally a few days later to allow you time to brush up on the content of the manual. A short practical boat test with some oral questions follows a day or so later.

On passing your exam an interim certificate is issued. A full certificate is issued from SAMSA a few months later.

We will be pleased advise you on the course/s you need. Fill out the enquiry form on the right or give us a call.

SAMSA VHF / SRC Radio Operators License Training (1 Day)

SAMSA VHF/SRC COURSE

The SAMSA Short Range Certificate is the qualification required if you operate a marine VHF radio fitted to your vessel or handheld. This includes both fixed and hand held equipment using International channels. All new VHF sets are either fitted, or can be interfaced, with DSC calling.

A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures. Unnecessary transmissions could block out a Mayday distress call.

This course will teach you the basics of operating and understanding a VHF radio on board a yacht. If you own a marine radio hand held or fixed set, you are required by law to hold an operator’s license – learn the procedures for operation and gain the qualification on this one day course.

The Sail and Power SAMSA VHF Radio Course does not include exam fees.

The course is one day plus the exam at SAMSA office Cape Town as per there calendar

Exam fees are not included in the course price.

SAMSA exam fee is Rxxxx

Course Content overview:

The basics of radio operation

The correct frequencies (channels) to be used

Distress, emergency and medical assistance procedures

Making ship to shore telephone calls

Digital Selective Calling (DSC) using simulators

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB)

Search and Rescue (SART)

We will be pleased advise you on the course/s you need. Fill out the enquiry form on the right or give us a call.

Course and Exam pricing

SAMSA Skippers Training and exams.

Our modules are developed to help make you safe on the water. We also make sure you have the knowledge to pass the exams.

The pre course requirements are as follows;

Logged sea time, note you do not have to be skipper all the time. But need to be involved in the boating (a cruise liner or seal island trip would not count!)

No real time. We can provide what you need see package 1

I have 50 hours signed off by a qualified skipper. See package 2

I have 100 hours or more. See package 2 or package 3 if you have lots of experience.

Medical on form supplied from your Doctor

4 ID photos and certified copy of your ID or Passport

How much does a skipper’s license cost in South Africa ?

Conversion to Sail and Power

Certificates of CompetenceDiscounted price for paid up members onlyStandard Price
Day SkipperR740R1110
Local Waters SkipperR750R1125
Coastal SkipperR1660R2490
Yachtmaster OffshoreR1650R2475

How long is a skipper’s Licence valid for in South Africa ?

The interim/temporary license is valid for 6 months and SAMSA will most of the time issue the permanent license in this period.

How do you become a boat captain in South Africa?

You are required by law to have a skipper’s ticket, which is pretty much a ‘driver’s license’ to operate a boat. This is known as your Certificate of Competence (CoC). It’s usually a course held on a weekend, with you writing an exam the same day or the next weekend, followed by a practical exam.

What size boat requires a skipper’s license in South Africa ?

9 metres

Skippers of pleasure vessels being sailing vessels of 9 metres and more in overall length, or power driven vessels of more than 15 HP, require a Small Vessel Certificate of Competence in accordance with the regulations. A national small vessel certification regime exists and is detailed further on in this document.

What can a day skipper do?

Day Skipper Practical

Preparing a yacht for sea, including engine, sails and gear. Deck work, including reefing, shaking out reefs, changing sails, preparing an anchor, mooring, anchoring, weighing anchor.

How do you register a boat in South Africa?

What you should do

Local. Completed application form. Valid SAMSA certificate.

High Seas. Same as for local, but the SAMSA certificate should reflect that the vessel may fish on the high seas.

Foreign. the name and details of the vessel owner (including ownership shares) the length of the vessel.

Does day skipper expire in South Africa ?

These certifications are renewable every 5 years and all instructors must attend a two day assessment on the water with an RYA Examiner. To teach shore based syllabi you must be a Yacht master Instructor or hold the RYA’s Day Skipper Theory Teaching Certificate. Whatever your qualifications, you use it or lose it!

Can a day skipper sail at night?

What are your limits on passing this? You can skipper a boat on coastal passages in daylight hours, and if pushed should be able to navigate after dark in reasonable conditions.

What do you do after day skipper in South Africa ?

There are three main options – mile-building, flotilla sailing, and bareboat charter. Each of these has different advantages and drawbacks and you may want to try more than one – even all of them!

Can you do Day Skipper without competent in South Africa ?

Yes you can! The RYA Minimum requirements for taking the Day Skipper practical course are to have logged 5 days onboard a cruising yacht, 100NM & 4 night hours. This would have been covered on the Competent Crew course.