SAMSA Skipper’s Courses
The Skippers course and licencing is for power driven vessels under 9m in length.
We also offer the SRC VHF+DSC marine radio courses, please request separate info for that. (For boats operating Category D, C or B, or vessels that have a VHF radio on board)
The next skipper’s course dates for January 2026:
Category R and E
24th January 2026 (Saturday) 1 day course only
The course begins at 8am with Theory lectures, followed with the Theory exam, Oral and practical evaluation finishing roughly at 5pm.
Category C (15nm)
24th and 25th January 2026 (Saturday and Sunday) 2-day course
The course begins on Saturday at 8am with Theory lectures, followed with Theory exam.
Sunday starting at 8am with oral and practical examination. Plus/minus 2 hours.
Please bring dry clothes just in case you get wet on the practical due to possible splash or rain.
Courses
The courses are all SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) approved and are for power driven vessels only, from Restricted waters (dams, rivers, or estuaries) or 1, 15 or 40NM (ocean)
Categories
You can only apply for the category that you have practical experience, done on South African waters on a South African registered vessel. (You were helming the vessel and NOT a crewman)
Upgrades can be done at a later stage if required.
The higher the rating the more advanced examination will be conducted.
- Inland waters (Category R), which is limited to operating within a Port, fishing Harbour, tidal river, lagoon, estuary and all inland water. (1 day course)
- Category E Day skipper, one nautical mile from shore, up to 15 nm from an approved launch site at sea and includes all inland waters. (1 day course)
- Category C Day skipper, 15 nautical miles from shore and 15 nm from an approved launch site. (2-day course)
- Category B Day, 40 nautical miles from shore, 40 nautical miles from an approved launch site. (5-day course)
Prerequisite sea time/ hours at sea
You are required to have completed a minimum of 25 hours sea time Category R, E, C (helming the vessel yourself) Day B, 50 hours, prior to being able to obtain a skipper’s license. These hours must be obtained on South African water on a registered South African vessel, (Verified on a log sheet provided with a copy of the skipper’s license that the hours were done with), one can attend the course without the hours (Theory) but cannot be examined until the log sheet is completed. Category B Coastal, 150 hours of which 50 must be at night. (this is a 5 day course)
You have a maximum of 2 years to complete this prerequisite, and complete and pass all requirements, otherwise you will forfeit your course fees and must start from the beginning again.
We do offer boat handling courses where you can obtain the sea time either using our vessel or your own at an hourly rate.
Using our boat is R680 per hour.
Using your own boat R300 per hour.
If you need more info on the boat handling course, then please request info.
Course material
We supply all course materials which is included in the price. (The forms that get completed and sent to SAMSA in Pretoria) and all lectures and logbooks. The packages / manual is available for purchase before the course date of the course, otherwise they will be given out on the course date. Alternatively, you can also do some pre study training by registering on the NSRI website and complete the modules there. https://bravobravo.co.za
Medical
SAMSA require a small medical which includes an eye test (forms included in package from us or medical form can be emailed if requested beforehand.)
Dr Botha, 21 Piet Retief Str. Strand Tel 021 8538110 is available to do the medicals at a reduced fee of R100 / person.
Dr Botha will be available at the lecture facilities on Saturday, to do medicals if you would like to use his services.
Alternatively, you can use any other medical Doctor if preferred, please insure they use their medical practice number and stamp on the provided form when conducting the medical.
Course fees
Category R and E, 1 day course = R2800
Category C and Day B, 2-day course = R3500
Category B coastal, 5-day course = R5000
Prices include (lectures, practical, course materials and SAMSA registration).
This fee can be paid in cash on the course date or EFT beforehand. No card facilities.
ID photos
X4 colour ID photos are required on a white background.
ID photos can be done at the course at a fee of R50 / set.
Practical evaluation
We offer our boat for the practical, but you are welcome to use your own.
Price for using ours is included.
Price does not change if you use your own vessel.
Out of schedule courses
Any other course dates out of schedule can be arranged during office hours on weekdays, this could include groups, or a one-on-one. A premium price of R5500 would be charged for a one-on-one course during the week. X1pax =R5500; x2pax =R5000 per person; x3pax =R4700 per person; x4pax =R4500 per person; x5pax =R4300 per person; over x6pax =normal price structure.
Please bring along.
- Copy of your ID or ID book so I can make a copy.
- 4X ID photos (colour only, on a white background) please put your name, surname, and ID number on each photo.
- Completed log sheet and a copy of the skipper’s license of the person signing your hours off.
- Pen, calculator, and ruler
- Course fees (ocean)
- Please bring your own lunch and Coldrinks. (There are close by shops to purchase lunch) coffee and tea will be available.
Location (Gordon’s Bay)
South African Small Craft Association
2 Sir Lowry’s Pass Road
Gordon’s Bay
7151
Directions
When travelling from the Cape Town direction along the N2
Travel in the direction of Sir Lowry’s Pass. (N2)
At the foot of the Pass’ traffic lights turn right towards Gordon’s Bay, this road is called Sir Lowry’s Pass Road but is not marked.
Continue that road ± 4.7 km, until you get to the last house on the left-hand side, Number 2.
Please Park on the opposite side of the offices, on the grassed, designated parking area.
Licenses
Licenses will be available immediately on completion of the course providing all requirements are met, which includes completed paperwork, passing the theory, oral and practical evaluation.
You will be issued with an interim certificate valid for 6 months while your application will be sent to SAMSA Pretoria for processing. This licence is a valid skipper’s licence.
Your original can take up to 6 months or more to arrive back from SAMSA.
You will be notified by WhatsApp when your original is ready for collection.
Collection will be at the same address as the course you attended during office hours Mondays to Fridays.
Bookings
Please confirm bookings via email; WhatsApp or SMS to secure a place on the course.
Use your name and surname as reference with your cell number, date of course preferred and Category.
Lisa Shorter (SAMSA authorized agent 00338) SASCA A115
Tony Smit (SAMSA authorized agent 00324) SASCA A54
Email: lisashorter@rocketmail.com
Tony 083 962 8276 or Lisa 082 754 6326
(SAMSA authorized number can be verified on SAMSA website, marine notice 6 of 2011)
CATEGORIES
Skipper- Inland waters Category R (Any category R vessel.) Operating in rivers, tidal rivers, dams, estuaries, lagoons and fishing harbour’s.)
Entry Requirement
- Doctor’s Certificate and eye test
- Proof of identity-copy
- Over 16 years old
- Minimum of 25 hours of skippering, on vessels of the appropriate length certified by a qualified skipper taking responsibility for tutorship. (Sea-time recorded on any category vessel is acceptable for category R)
- The prescribed written, oral, and practical examination.
Day Skipper Category E (< 9m in length, Day skipper of a power driven vessel limited to One (1) Nautical mile from shore and 15 nautical miles from an approved launch site; proceeding to sea from a commercial harbour, fishing harbour, or protected launch site which includes Inland waters)
Entry Requirement
- Doctor’s Certificate and eye test
- Proof of identity-copy
- Over 16 years old
- Minimum of 25 hours of skippering, on vessels of the appropriate length certified by a qualified skipper taking responsibility for tutorship. (The sea-time requirements must be obtained on category E or higher vessels.
- The prescribed written, oral, and practical examination.
Day Skipper Category C (< 9m in length, Day skipper of a power-driven vessel limited to 15 Nautical miles from shore proceeding to sea from a commercial harbour, fishing harbour, or protected launch site which includes Inland waters)
Entry Requirements
- Doctor’s Certificate and eye test
- Proof of identity-copy
- Minimum of 25 hours of skippering on vessels of the appropriate length certified by a qualified skipper taking responsibility for tutorship (The sea-time requirements may be obtained on either category C or D vessels.)
- The prescribed written, oral, and practical examination.
Day Skipper Category B (< 9m in length, Day skipper of a power-driven vessel limited to 40 Nautical miles from shore proceeding to sea from a commercial harbour, fishing harbour, or protected launch site which includes Inland waters)
Doctor’s Certificate and eye test
- Proof of identity -copy
- Over 16 years old
- 50 hours of skippering, on Category B vessels of the appropriate length certified by a qualified skipper taking responsibility for tutorship (The sea-time requirements must be obtained on a category B vessel)
- The prescribed written, oral, and practical examination.
Coastal skipper < 9 m (Coastal skipper limited to 40 Nautical miles from shore, proceeding to sea from a commercial harbour, fishing harbour, or a protected launch site) can only be issued as an upgrade from a lower license or attend a 5 day course.
- Eyesight Test Certificate
- Doctor’s Certificate
- Proof of identity
- Over 18 years old
- 150 hours of skippering, on Category B or higher vessels < 9 meters certified by a skipper taking responsibility for tutorship and of which at least 50 hours must be night hours completed on a logsheet.
- The prescribed written, practical, and oral examination. (Candidate must be in possession of at least a Category C Skipper license)
- Practically using your own Category B vessel demonstrating your skippering abilities at 40NM out to sea.
Endorsements: Dive Skipper if the candidate is qualified. Only required if operating commercially.
- The candidate needs to have a minimum of Dive Master Diver qualification or equivalent and be older than 18 years of age.
- A dive excursion practical is required with a Dive Skipper SAMSA appointed examiner. Fee = R850 for Examining on a dive boat.
Surf endorsement is NOT available in the Western Cape and is only required on the East/ South coastline, so we do not offer it.
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