South African Jetski Requirements
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 Competance) 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 anually 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
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 Competance) 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 anually 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 altough 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 license.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 license.You will also have to complete a practical assesment.
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.
For up to date information also take a look at www.samsa.org
Safety kits
SAFETY EQUIPMENT CATEGORY “D”
*UP TO 5 NAUTICAL MILES OUT TO SEA*
*1 x Water Tight Capsize Bottle with lanyard the width of the boat attached to contain the following:-
- 2 x Un-expired approved Red Hand Held Distress Flares.
- 2 x Un-expired approved Red Rocket Parachute Flares.
- 1 x Un-expired approved Floating Orange Smoke marker.
- 2 x Space Blankets.
- 1 x Waterproof Torch, batteries & spare globe (for night operations). *** Not for Jetski***
1 x Litre of Drinking Water per person.
1 x Approved First Aid Kit with white cross on green background on container.
1 x Approved Life Jacket or Life Vest per person on board.
1 x 29MHZ Marine Radio. Must be capable of operating on A, B and C Channels.
1 x Suitable Magnetic Compass with which bearings can be taken. (Illuminated for night operations)
Fire Extinguishers, 1 x per engine suitable, dry powder type 1.5kg dated and serviced by Fire Appliance Servicing Agent.
1 x Capsize Rope suitable for the type of craft.
1 x Sea Anchor (Drogue) rigged with trip rope and ready to use (surf launching only).
1 x anchor proper patented suitable for operating area.
1 x 100m Suitable Anchor rope.
1 x Suitable Chain not less than 5m in length for boats over 6m.
1 x Suitable Chain not less than 3m in length for boats under 6m.
Bow Eye and Stern Eye.
Anchor Ballard.
Suitable Scuppers. *** Not for Jetski***
Petrol Tanks must be Red or UN-approved in accordance with SAMSA regulations. *** Not for Jetski***
Spares adequate for the purpose of carrying out emergency repairs to machinery and essential equipment on board. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SPARE SPARK PLUGS AND SPARK PLUG SPANNER
Tools as above i.e. for the purpose.
Inflatable to have Air-Bellows and Repair Kit. *** Not for Jetski***
All equipment to be marked with Water Repellent Marker with Boat Registration Number.
Boat Trailer must be marked, with owners name, boat registration number and owners contact number.
Emergency Steering. (Foldable paddle)
Identity Sheet (Red, Orange or Yellow)
Navigational Lights (In accordance with International regulations for night operations.) *** Not for Jetski***
Bucket (Bailing device) For a Jetski use a collapsibe bucket
30% Buoyancy
2 Oars if only one motor (one collapsible paddle / oar)
Drain plugs (Always make sure they are in before launching)
DIVE BOATS ONLY
1 x Code Flag “A” (rigid)
1 x depth-sounding device or hand lead line.
1 x handheld 12V Spotlight with own battery (for night operations).
Grab-line fitted to outside of Gunwales
SAFETY EQUIPMENT CATEGORY “E”
*UP TO 1 NAUTICAL MILES OUT TO SEA*
1 x Water Tight Capsize Bottle with lanyard the width of the boat attached to contain the following:-
1 x Un-expired Hand Held Red Smoke Marker.
1 x Un-expired approved Projectile Flare Set.
1 x Suitable Air bellows and Repair Kit. *** Not for Jetski***
1 x Approved Life Jacket or Life Vest per person on board.
1 x 29MHZ Marine Radio. Must be capable of operating on A,B and C Channels (not required, but strongly recommended)
Fire Extinguishers, 1 x per engine suitable, dry powder type 1.5kg dated and serviced by Fire Appliance Servicing Agent.
1 x Capsize Rope suitable for the type of craft.
1 x Sea Anchor rigged with trip rope and ready to use (surf launching only).
1 x Anchor proper patented suitable for operating area.
1 x 50m Suitable Anchor rope.
1 x Suitable Chain not less than 5m in length for boats over 6m.
1 x Suitable Chain not less than 3m in length for boats under 6m.
Bow Eye and Stern Eye.
Suitable Scuppers. *** Not for Jetski***
Petrol Tanks must be Red or UN-approved in accordance with SAMSA regulations. *** Not for Jetski***
Spares adequate for the purpose of carrying out emergency repairs to machinery and essential equipment on board. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SPARE SPARK PLUGS AND SPARK PLUG SPANNER
Tools as above i.e. for the purpose.
All equipment to be marked with Water Repellent Marker with Boat Registration Number.
Boat Trailer must be marked, with owners name, boat registration number and owners contact number.
Emergency Steering. (Foldable paddle)
Identity Sheet (Red, Orange or Yellow)
Navigational Lights (In accordance with International regulations for night operations.) *** Not for Jetski***
Bucket (Bailing device)
2 Oars if only one motor (one collapsible paddle / oar)
Drain plugs (Always make sure they are in before launching)
