Bunker Fuels
Safe, reliable and swift delivery of quality marine fuels at competitive prices
Launch Services
Round-the-clock ship supply services
Contract Logistics
Specialised solutions to improve supply chain efficiency
GAC Mobile Directory App
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has granted an extension until 31 December 2020 for to any Certificates of Competency (COC) and/or Certificates of Proficiency (COP) that may expire during the national lockdown and/or shortly thereafter.
According to the SAMSA Marine Notice No.33 of 2020 dated 15 June 2020, applications for extension shall be made electronically, with documents that have exceeded their validity date acceptable provided they were valid on/before 15 December 2019.
South African registered ships with seafarers holding foreign COCs shall take the direction regarding seafarers Certification from that Administration and communicate to the Principal Officer where the ship is registered regarding any challenges they may encounter regarding validity of the seafarer’s certificates.
Employers with seafarers onboard their ships whose certificates are due to expire whilst on an extended tour of duty due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and South African registered ships who have seafarers holding certificates that will be expiring soon and are affected, shall follow the following process.
Seafarers and employers who seek documentary proof of the extension of seafarer certification shall:
- apply through electronic means by following the instructions at http://www.samsa.org.za/Pages/Application-for-the-extension-of-Certificate.aspx
- in the event of difficulty, contact the nearest SAMSA office via e-mail as found on SAMSA’s website http://www.samsa.org.za/Pages/Contact-Us.aspx. Please include both a copy of the CoC/CoP and the above mentioned form.
Seafarers working onboard ships operating in South African ports do not need to have individual extensions but must keep a copy of SAMSA Marine Notice No.33 of 2020 to show that they are operating under this extension – provided they are permitted to operate under the Disaster Management Act, 2002, as amended.
Accreditation certificates issued to Training Institutions by SAMSA expiring during lockdown or the period immediately thereafter are extended as follows:
- All accreditations are extended until 30 September 2020
- The extension applies to all accreditations that are/were due to expire on or after 1 February 2020
Approval certificates issued to Medical Practitioners by SAMSA expiring during lockdown or the period immediately thereafter are extended as follows:
- All approvals are extended until 30 September 2020
- The extension applies to all approvals which expired on or after 1 February 2020
Seafarers who have not applied for a Certificate of Proficiency (or Competency) after completing SAMSA Accredited Training - and as such need an extension of an expiring course completion certificate - may apply for an extension to the issuing Institution. Accredited Institutions are required to issue an extension, by letter referencing the certificate number, or by amendment or re-issue of the course completion certificate. Extensions shall be valid until 30 September 2020.
Each institution shall, before granting any such extension ensure that:
- They only issue an extension for certificates which they have issued.
- Keep records of any such extension granted.
- Where no process exists, the institution shall create a means to extend certificates.
All medical certificates issued by SAMSA approved medical practitioners are extended until 30 September 2020. All SAMSA issued Eyesight Certificates (including those for Pilot Exemptions) are extended until 31 December 2020. This applies to all certificates which expired on or after 1 February 2020.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in South Africa, contact GAC South Africa at [email protected]