Watch this space for the next cruise details

REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE USE OF PLEASURE CRAFT ON INLAND WATERS
AllanStokes

The South African Maritime Safety Authority has put in place regulations for the use of pleasure craft on inland waters in their Notice to Mariners 13 of 2007. This document can be viewed at www.samsa.org.za and the relevant procedures for category R vessels can be studied.

In short these regulations are only binding on sailing vessels over 9 meters in length and power driven vessels with a motor larger than 15 hp. They require that the skipper has a skipper’s ticket, called a Certificate of Competence ( CoC) and that the vessel is registered with a recognised Authority, a Certificate of Listing which is a one time registration and that the vessel has a Certificate of Fitness which is renewed every year. These requirements were due on 8 August 2008 but have now been extended to 1 March 2009 as very little has been done so far.

The CoC can be arranged through South African Sailing, (SAS) for sailing vessels or by contacting Allan Stokes at 0721836832, who will assist you. Power vessel COC’s must be done through SADSAA and Vicky Raynard at 0834103314 will be able to assist all power boat skippers.  

The Certificate of Listing can be done through SAS for all affected vessels and Daphne Kasselman at 0118242402 will be able to assist all boaters concerned. Sailing Vessels will be allocated SA numbers and power boats will be allocated ZA numbers.

Thereafter these vessels will be liable for a safety check annually and these can be done by various SAS appointed Safety Officers on the dam.  In fact just about every club on the dam has at least one Safety Officer appointed by SAS for this task.

Owners of vessels that ignore these regulations by the cut off date of 1 March 2009 will be liable for a hefty fine from the SAPS Water Wing based at Vaal Marina. The amount seems to be a maximum of R 10 000.00 or 6 months goal time. But this can change due to circumstances.

Please keep in mind that a jet ski is included in these regulations due to the power of its motor.