To operate a vessel, smaller or equal to 9 meters with an engine larger than 15hp – jet skis included, on dams, rivers, sea and in harbours in South Africa, a skipper license is required. The penalties for operating without a license are high and inspectors are clamping down on those operating without a license.
The following license categories are available:
- Category R: This covers all inland waters, estuaries, lagoons & ports
- Category E: Vessels only going 1Nm offshore
- Category C: Vessels going up to 15Nm offshore
- Category B: Vessels going up to 40Nm offshore
- Skipper Coastal (Pleasure)
- Skipper Coastal (Commercial)
- Skipper Offshore (Pleasure)
- Skipper Offshore (Commercial)
It is possible to skip categories – i.e skip E and doing C by attending a sea academy where the instructor will take the student through the different levels.
REQUIREMENTS
Categories ‘R’ and ‘E’ are the entry levels for skippers to start their boating experience. One can start in either, the difference being the boating hours – see below for more details.
R-LICENSE – Dams and Rivers
The license which allows the holder to operate on dams, rivers, lakes, lagoons and harbours in South Africa.
- Copy of ID document (must be 16 years or older)
- Four passport/id photos
- Medical certificate
- Log of a minimum of 25 hours on dams or rivers. To be signed by the applicant/student.
- Pass the exam.
E-LICENSE – 1 Nautical mile from the coast and maximum 15 nautical miles from a safe port of entry.
- Copy of ID document (must be 16 years or older)
- Four passport/id photos
- Medical certificate
- Log of a minimum of 50 hours on the sea. To be signed off by a licensed sea skipper.
- Certified copy of the sea Skipper’s license.
- Certified copy of the sea Skipper’s ID
- A sworn statement by the sea Skipper that the hours reflected are correct and true.
- Pass the exam.
You can now study online for category R and E Click here for more info.
Upgrading from R to E
The syllabus for R and E is the same, but the sea-time requirements are different. Hence a person can upgrade his Skipper Inland Waters (unrestricted) to a Day Skipper Category E by producing practical sea-time alone. (Marine Notice 13 of 2011 para. 10.3.1.2)
C-LICENSE – 15 Nautical mile from the coast and maximum 15 nautical miles from an approved launch site.
- Copy of ID document (must be 16 years or older)
- Two passport/id photos
- Medical certificate
- Log of a minimum of 25 hours on a minimum category D vessel at sea. To be signed off by a licensed sea skipper with a skipper license C or higher.
- Certified copy of the sea Skipper’s license.
- Certified copy of the sea Skipper’s ID
- A sworn statement by the sea Skipper that the hours reflected are correct and true.
- Pass the exam on 4 more advanced subjects and practical on navigation.
B-LICENSE – 40 Nautical mile from the coast
The B category is an upgrade from C and needs a minimum of 25 hours experimental training signed of by a licensed skipper.
Surf Launching Endorsement
A sea skipper license does not give the holder the right to launch from a beach and need a endorsement on the license to do so. There is two ways to achieve this:
- Attend a formal course at the coast where the SAMSA approved examiner will then test the applicant over a minimum of 4 days – 3 launches per day.
- Do the training under the supervision of a licensed sea skipper who has a surf launch endorsement. Training must be conducted under different sea and weather conditions with at least 3 launches per day. Once the sea skipper is confident that student can launch in a safe and responsible manner, he/she has to do a signed affidavit, under oath, specified the launches completed and that the student is ready to be tested. The student then arrange with a SAMSA approved examiner to test him/her over two days and, if successful, will receive the endorsement.
INTERNATIONAL SKIPPERS LICENSE
Traveling abroad and using or hiring PWCs normally requires the skipper to have a recognized certificate. We can provide the International Certificate of competence (ICC) for Personal watercraft (Jet Skis). Attending a qualifying RYA course will give you the certificate that allows you to register for the ICC.
COMMERCIAL BOATING
There are many rules and regulations concerning commercial boating. We can give you advice on boating related to.
- PWCs
- Powerboats
- Motor Yachts
- Sailing Yachts
- Super Yacht Tenders
- Vessels used for charter, diving, etc
South African Jetski Requirements 2021
Mick Clarke (Codfather) does Jetski Skippers courses on the Durban South Coast contact us here for more details Jetski Skippers Enquiry
Tel / whatsap 039 973 1572 Cell 072 938 1769
Since the law changed in 2007 and was implemented from March 2009 all vessels are regulated by SAMSA (South African Marine Safety Authority) as follows
Any vessel from 15hp or greater must comply with safety regulations and have the applicable skippers ticket
You can only launch from an approved launch site
To use a vessel on inland waters (Dams, Rivers, etc) You need a minimum of a category R skippers ticket
You must have a buoyancy certificate for your craft (minimum 30% buoyancy issued by SAMSA appointed agents)
You must have a COF (Certificate of Fitness) for your craft and a COC (Certificate of Competence) (Skippers Ticket) for you the skipper. The COC is obtainable through a SAMSA authorised agent and does not need to be renewed anually but you can upgrade to a higher certificate. The COF for your craft must be renewed annually through an appointed agent.
If you add Jetwings, Tubbys, Pontoons, etc they must also have a Buoyancy Certificate.
The regulations are policed and enforced by SAMSA agents and the water wing police and you will be checked at clubs and launch sites
To use a Jetski at sea just like any other craft your Jetski category will depend on its construction (must be over 3 metres) and you must have the relevant safety equipment for that category
You must have a buoyancy certificate for your craft (minimum 30% buoyancy issued by SAMSA appointed agents)
You must have a COF (Certificate of Fitness) for your craft and a COC (Certificate of Competence) for you the skipper. The COC is obtainable through a SAMSA authorised agent and does not need to be renewed anually but you can upgrade to a higher certificate. The COF for your craft must be renewed annually through an appointed agent
The regulations are policed and enforced by SAMSA agents and the water wing police and you will be checked at clubs and launch sites
Your Jetski can be either
Category R Inland waters
Category E Operating not more than 1 Nautical Mile from shore
Category D Operating less than 5 Nautical Miles from shore
Please note although your craft may be lets say a category D (can go up to 5 nautical miles to sea) you must have the relevant skippers ticket also to go that far to sea
Your skippers ticket is either
Day Skipper
Coastal Skipper Below are some examples of skippers courses taken from http://www.saskipper.com/Courses.php
Category R ≤9 meters (Inland Water) Skipper. The course consists of a 1 day theoretical course (08:00 to 15:00) in a class room.You will have to complete a pre-examination task after wich you will have to write the national examination. Please note that you must be able to log a minimum of 25 hours inland water time, in order to qualify for your Cat R license.You will also have to complete a practical assesment.
Category E ≤9 meters (1 Nautical Mile) Day Skipper. The course consists of a 1 day theoretical course (08:00 to 15:00) in a class room.You will have to complete a pre-examination task after wich you will have to write the national examination. Please note that you must be able to log a minimum of 25 hours sea time, in order to qualify for your Cat E licence.You will also have to complete a practical assesment.
Category C ≤9 meters (15 Nautical Mile) Day Skipper. The course consists of a 1 day theoretical course (08:00 to 17:00) in a class room.You will have to complete a pre-examination task after which you will have to write the national examination. Please note that you must be able to log a minimum of 25 hours sea time, in order to qualify for your Cat C licence.You will also have to complete a practical assesment. Mick Clarke (Codfather) does Jetski Skippers courses on the Durban South Coast contact us here for more details mick@jetskifishingsa.co.za
Tel 039 973 1572 Cell 072 938 1769
Category B Upgrade ≤9 meters (40 Nautical Mile) Day Skipper. To qualify for this course you have to be a qualified Cat C skipper and have logged a minimum of 100 hours sea time. You will be taught how to navigate and plan your journey and then you will be given an exercise in navigation. On completion of this course you can also apply for a Coastal Skipper (Night Rating). You need to do the Ship’s lights test and have completed an extra 50 night hours sea time.