MyPE

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When do you require a skippers ticket?

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In answer to a number of questions that have arisen after the publication of this article – New kids on the PE boat building block – some clarity is needed around the skipper ticket requirement. A skippers ticket is referred to as a Ceritificate of Competency (CoC) and tests the competency of an individual to handle a vessel. A Certificate of Fitness (CoF) is issued after inspection of a vessel by a competent authority who certtifies that the vessel is safe to operate within a certain category.

The question most asked is; “Under what circumstances do I NOT require a skippers ticket (CoC)?”

The answer is: “If you vessel (sailing or power) is under 9 metres and is driven by a motor of less than 15 HP then a Certificate of Competence (Skippers Ticket) is not required. Your vessel will still require a CoF, though.”

Briefly, the main principles applying to all recreational vessels used on inland waters are as follows:

1. All vessels excepting power driven vessels of 15 HP or less, sailing vessels of 9 metres or less in length and vessels propelled by human power alone must be marked with a single traceable ‘approved number’;

2. All skippers of motor vessels of more than 15 HP and sailing vessels more than 9 metres must be certificated;

  • Skippers of any commercial vessel regardless of category type or size require a Small Vessel Certificate of Competence in accordance with the regulations.
  • Pleasure vessels being sailing vessels of more than 9 metres in overall length or power driven vessels of more than 15 HP require a Small Vessel Certificate of Competence in accordance with the regulations. (Note that all seagoing (deck) certificates of competence will be acceptable on inland waters but the certificates issued for inland waters only, may not to be used to go out to sea.)

3. All vessels excepting power driven vessels of 15 HP or less, sailing vessels of 9 metres or less in length and vessels propelled by human power alone must be inspected and certified as seaworthy annually (i.e. obtain a Certificate of Fitness);

4. All vessels must carry the appropriate and relevant safety equipment according to the vessel category and type; (Note that vessels described as personal water craft of less than 3 metres, motor vessel of 15 HP or less, sailing vessels under 7 metres, and non-power driven vessels are exempted from certain safety requirements but are still however required to carry the safety equipment required by annex 2 as well as have sufficient buoyancy.)

5. All vessels must have sufficient buoyancy. In accordance with the regulations, vessel owners are required to be able to prove that their vessels have suitable and adequate buoyancy.

South African Sailing (SAS) is the only body that South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has authorised to issue Certificates of Competence for sailing boats.

The different categories of vessels also require a Certificate of Fitness for each class of vessel – Power/Sail – under 100 Gross tons and in the different Categories of A, B, C, D, E or R.

  • Category A – vessels operating any distance from shore
  • Category B – vessels operating less than 40 nautical miles from shore
  • Category C – vessels operating less than 15 nautical miles from shore
  • Category D – vessels operating less than 5 nautical miles from shore
  • Category E – vessels operating not more than 1 nautical mile from shore and 15 nautical miles from an approved launch site
  • Category R – vessels operating solely on sheltered waters

CLICK HERE to download the Sailing and Power vessel CoF checklists for each of the above categories.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.