South African Maritime Safety Authority

The South African Maritime Safety Authority Headquarters in Pretoria

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is a South African government agency established on 1 April 1998 as a result of the 1998 South African Maritime Safety Authority Act 5.^[1] as such it is responsible for the implementation of current International & National Regulations regarding the Maritime Industry as well as upon all recreational marine vessels within its jurisdiction.

SAMSA via the administration and/or management of all things marine related is in effect the governing authority and as such is required to investigate maritime accidents/incidents & to provide various marine related services both on behalf of Government as well as to Government.

Overview of services ^[2]

To & on behalf of Government:

• Advise Government on maritime issues relating to or affecting South Africa
• Administer current legislation & policies, submit additional proposals thereon as & when required so as to flag State Implementation
• Represent South Africa at international forums, liaise with foreign governments & other International institutions on behalf of South African Government
• On behalf of the Minister of Transport liaise with other South African institutions & various State Departments
• Administration of government maritime contracts
• Provide a maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) capability within the South African area of responsibility - via the management (on behalf of DOT) of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC)
• Conduct Accident investigations and provide Emergency Casualty Response
• Control of State Ports, including management of the DOT contracted pollution prevention and response capability

To Maritime Industry (local & International):

• Conduct Statutory surveys and issue Safety certification of vessels
• Certification of Seafarers
• Provide Assistance and advice on maritime legislation
• Provide advice & grant approval in construction and refitting of vessels, including the evaluation & approval of fittings & equipment used.
• Consultancy to industry on technical matters, safety and qualifications

To Stakeholders:

• Safety equipment approval
• Port State Control Inspections
• Inspections of ships and cargoes of timber, grain and hazardous goods
• Accreditation of maritime training institutions and maritime training programmes
• Monitoring of South African seafarers’ welfare and conditions of service
• Provision of maritime safety information to shipping & ensuring a reliable radio service
• Ensuring that navigational aids are in place around the South African coastline
• Assimilation and maintenance of shipping information and statistics

It is subordinate to the Minister of Transport, who heads the Department of Transport. Despite it being a marine authority its head office is over 500 km away from the nearest ocean in Pretoria.^[3]

SAMSA administers the South African ship register.^[4]

In July 2012 the authority acquired the former Antarctic supply vessel S. A. Agulhas as a training ship.^[5]

References

1. "About Us". SAMSA. 1998-04-01. Retrieved 2012-07-17.
2. "Overview of Services". SAMSA. 1998-04-01. Retrieved 2014-01-15.
3. "Contact Us". SAMSA. Retrieved 2012-07-17.
4. "Only foreign ships transport SA's exports". Mail & Guardian. SAPA. 1 October 2013. Archived from the original on 22 January 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
5. "SA Agulhas now a training vessel". DefenceWeb. 2012-07-05. Retrieved 2012-07-17.

External links

• South African Maritime Safety Authority