Skippers Ticket and licensing for under 9m power boat Monday 12 January 2026
Event information
TO ALL FUTURE SKIPPERS
The Skippers course and licencing is for power driven vessels under 9m in length.
Date: 12th January 2026 starting at 8:30am at Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club.
Lectues begin at 8:30am promptly, followed with the theory Exam and then practical evaluation.
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 Category R (dams, rivers, or estuaries) or Category E, 1Nm (ocean)
Prerequisite sea time/ hours at sea
You are required to have completed a minimum of 25 hours sea time (helming the vessel yourself) prior to being able to obtain a skipper’s license. (Verified on a log sheet provided in this email and a copy of the persons skippers license verifying your logged hours)
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.
Starting time
Starting time 8:30am.
Venue
Zeekoevlei Yacht Club
Governors Walk
Cape Town 7941
Itinerary
The morning starts off with lectures using a power point presentation followed with the theory exam and then the final Evaluation which is the practical skippering of a boat.
Practical evaluation
It is a SAMSA regulation that all candidates will demonstrate in a practical evaluation that they can skipper a boat. This will include the following but will be demonstrated first on the procedures required.
Pre-launch procedures, Docking the vessel onto the mooring, Rule of the road, Routine checks, Outboard motors, Throttle control, Emergencies, Safety equipment, Loading and trimming, Man overboard drills, After use procedures, General boating behind the helm.
Categories
You can only apply for the category that you have practical experience in currently. (You were helming the vessel.)
Upgrades can always be done at a later stage if required.
The higher the rating the more advanced examination will be conducted.
Please bring along.
- Copy of your ID
- 4X ID photos (colour only, on a white background) please put your name, surname, and ID number on each photo.
- Pen, calculator, and ruler ID photos
Medicals
A doctor’s medical is required to verify you are mentally and physically fit to skipper a boat. This medical certificate must please be completed and given in on the start of your skippers training. You can use any licenced general medical doctor of your choice but please ensure their practice number is stamped on the medical. (Medicals conducted by nurses or occupational health and safety are not excepted.) Licences
Licences 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 in-excess of 6 months to arrive back from SAMSA. You will be notified by WhatsApp when your original is ready for collection.
Course fee:
Course fees R2950
Bank details
Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club
Standard Bank
Cheque acc. 071837892
Swift code: SBZA ZA JJ
Ref. (Skipper, Your Name and Surname)
Or SNAPSCAN

Only fully paid up participants will be able to participate in the training.
CATEGORIES
1. Skipper- Inland waters Category R (Any category R vessel.) Operating in rivers, tidal rivers, dams, estuaries, lagoons, and fishing harbours.
Entry Requirement
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Doctor’s Certificate
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Proof of identity-copy
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Over 16 years old
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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) or 100 hours of active crewing time verified by the skipper.
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The prescribed written and practical examination.
2. Day Skipper Category E (< 9m in length, 1 Nautical mile out at sea and Inland waters)
Entry Requirement
- Doctor’s Certificate
- Proof of identity-copy
- Over 16 years old
- 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, or 100 hours of active crewing time verified by the skipper.
- The prescribed written and practical examination.