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South African Jetski Requirements 2024 & Mozambique Requirements
Mick Clarke (Codfather) does Jetski Skippers courses on the Durban South Coast contact us here for more details.
Whatsap Cell 072 938 1769
Since the law changed 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) 60% for an Ocean going vessel.
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 annually 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% inland water 60% if going in the Ocean. A Buoyancy Certificate is issued by SAMSA appointed agents or a Manufacturer)
You must have a COF (Certificate of Fitness) for your craft and a COC (Certificate of Competence) for you the skipper. If you have fitted any type of Tubbys or Pontoons they also need a Buoyancy Certificate or a combined Buoancy Certificate. The COC is obtainable through a SAMSA authorised agent and does not need to be renewed annually 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 (1.85kms) Nautical Mile from shore SAMSA Official Safety List is here.... CAT E SURVEY LIST
Category D Operating less than 5 Nautical Miles (9.26 kms) from shore SAMSA Official Safety List is here....CAT D SURVEY LIST
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 which would be a CAT C or CAT D (CAT D no longer available) You also rquire a Surf Endorsement if launching from a Surf Launch endorsed Launch Site...So anywhere except a harbour.
Your skippers ticket is either
Day Skipper
Coastal Skipper Below are some examples of skippers courses taken from http://www.saskipper.com/Courses.php
You will also have to complete a practical assesment.
For up to date information also take a look at www.samsa.org
Safety kits
SAFETY EQUIPMENT CATEGORY “D”
*UP TO 5 NAUTICAL (9.26kms) MILES OUT TO SEA*
Jetski CAT D Safety Equipment South Africa & Mozambique
Here is a list of the required Safety Equipment you will need for a Jetski in South Africa. The Mozambique additional Safty Items are at the end of the list
You can Download the CAT D Safety List for S.A. and Mozambique here....CAT D Safety List 2022
Power Driven Vessels operating more than 1 nautical mile (1.85kms) but not more than 5 nautical miles (9.26kms) from shore. SAMSA Cat D Official Safety List is here....CAT D SURVEY LIST
Approved life jacket (100N) per person – S.A.M.S.A approved. Skipper can wear a PFD incase he needs to swim in the surf but also needs to keep the approved 100N Jacket on board.
Two (2) Hand-Held red Distress Flares. Must be in date they last 3 Years
Two (2) Red Rocket Parachute Flares. Must be in date they last 3 Years
One (1) Floating Orange Smoke Marker. Must be in date they last 3 Years
One (1) Sound Signalling Device (other than a life-jacket whistle) – ie Plastic Fog Horn
One (1) Fixed 25 watt DSC Enabled Marine VHF Radio – Channel 16 and 1 other working channel and licence to use it (DSC Short Range)
One (1) Suitable mounted magnetic compass (with which bearings can be taken).
One (1) Suitable approved fire extinguisher 2.5 kg One (1) per engine – serviced annually.
One (1) Yellow Mounted Capsize Bottle
Two (2) space blankets.
One (1) litre water per person listed on your C.O.F.
One (1) First Aid kit.
***Spares and tools.ie Spark Plug Spanner, Pliers, Screwdriver< Spare Spark Plugs, Tape, Wiring Connectors etc.
Mark of equipment and trailer with your Boat Number, Your Name, Your Cell Number, and we suggest an Emergency Contact Number.
Mark all your Sefety Equipment with your Boat Number.
Two (2) Two paddles or oars – required only on vessel with single petrol motor.
One (1) Suitable anchor and Chain Vessels under 6m (Jetskis) – minimum 3 metres.
One (1) Rope: minimum 100 metres....Suggest 50 Metres or buy 2 50 metres as 100 metres is too much weight for a Jetski
One (1) ID sheet – where vessel is not of highly conspicuous colour. Rectangular sheet at least 2m x width of vessel – orange / yellow.
One (1) Suitable bailer or bucket – for non self-draining decks.
One (1) Radar reflector: min. 400mm in diameter or equivalent (vessel 9m or more permanently fitted) west of Port Alfred.***Check with the person doing the COF before you purchase this is confusing if you need it or not!!
Jetski Fishing SA......Suggest also.....Signalling Mirror (Some are under the red dish in your Safety Bottle)
Jetski Fishing Sa also recommend a Cell Phone in a waterproof pouch
NSRI SafeTrax App.
***NOTE for Mozambique you also require these additional items***.....Mozambique Extra Safety Items List
1 x Extra Hand Held Flare (to add to your 2 Hand Held Flares required in SA)1 x Boat Hook Buy Here Boat Hook
1 x Metal Stainless Steel Mirror
1 x Rubber Torch with spare Bulbs & Batteries
1 x V Flag (Red Cross on a White Background) The V Flag means "I need help" Buy Here V Victor Flag
2 x Emergency Food (3 if your Jetski is licenced for 3) Buy Here Emergency Food
2 x Emergency Water (3 if your Jetski is licenced for 3) Buy Here Emergency Water
1 x Spare Hand Held Compass
Jetski CAT E Safety Equipment South Africa & Mozambique (Cat E is up to 1 Nautical Mile (1.85kms) out to Sea.
SAMSA CAT E Safety List here...... CAT E SURVEY LIST
1 x Watertight Capsize Bottle with lanyard the width of the boat attached to contain the following: - 1 x Un-expired Hand Held Red Smoke Marker. Must be in date they last 3 Years
- 1 x Un-expired approved Projectile Flare Set. Must be in date they last 3 Years
- 1 x Hand Hed Smoke Marker Must be in date they last Years
- 1 x Approved Life Jacket or Life Vest per person on board.
- 1 x VHF Marine Radio ***MAY BE***requested at some launch sites. Check before you travel. You will also need to have a SRC licence to use the radio and the radio must be registered.
- 1 x Fire Extinguisher, dry powder type 1.5kg dated and serviced by Fire Appliance Servicing Agent. Lasts 12 months from service date.
- 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.
- 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 Paddles / Oars if only one motor (two collapsible paddle / oar)
- If the launch site requires a Marine VHF Radio you must use one and have the necessary licence.
- Jetski Fishing SA......Suggest also.....Signalling Mirror (Some are under the red dish in your Safety Bottle)
Cell Phone
NSRI SafeTrax App. - ***NOTE for Mozambique you also require these additional items***.....Mozambique Extra Safety Items List
1 x Extra Hand Held Flare (to add to your 2 Hand Held Flares required in SA) - 1 x Boat Hook Buy Here Boat Hook
1 x Metal Stainless Steel Mirror
1 x Rubber Torch with spare Bulbs & Batteries
1 x V Flag (Red Cross on a White Background) The V Flag means "I need help" Buy Here V Victor Flag - 2 x Emergency Food (3 if your Jetski is licenced for 3) Buy here
2 x Emergency Water (3 if your Jetski is licenced for 3) Buy Here Emergency Water
1 x Spare Hand Held Compass
Drain plugs (Always make sure they are in before launching) - Mick Clarke (Codfather) does Jetski Skippers courses on the Durban South Coast contact us here for more details This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Whatsapp / Cell 072 938 1769
Tags: Jetski Fishing, Jetski, SAMSA, Safety, CAT E, Equipment, boat, list, legal, requirements, category_d, category_e
