SAMSA Skipper Category B (Coastal, up to 40 nm) Exam (South Africa)
SAMSA Skipper Category B (Coastal, up to 40 nm) Certificate of Competence
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ExploreAbout this exam
The SAMSA Skipper Category B Certificate of Competence is a South African coastal qualification for skippers of small commercial and recreational vessels operating up to 40 nautical miles from shore. It sits above the inshore categories and below the unlimited and offshore tickets, so it suits people running coastal deliveries, charter and dive boats, fishing vessels and larger private craft along the coastline. Candidates are expected to handle a vessel competently and to make sound decisions on navigation, weather, safety and the law without close supervision. The examination is a written theory paper, typically multiple choice, covering navigation and position fixing, charts and passage planning, tides and meteorology, the collision regulations and buoyage, ship handling and seamanship, safety of life at sea and emergency procedures, maritime law and local regulations, and communications and electronic aids. Practical boat handling and sea time requirements are administered separately by SAMSA-accredited training providers. Preparation works best as a structured course with an accredited provider, combined with regular chartwork practice, learning the collision regulations by heart, and revising the buoyage system until recognition is instant. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by SAMSA; always confirm current requirements with SAMSA and your training provider.
What you'll study
About SAMSA Skipper Category B (Coastal, up to 40 nm) Exam (South Africa) preparation
What is the exam format?
It is a written theory examination, predominantly multiple choice, set against the SAMSA syllabus for the Category B coastal ticket. Expect chart-based navigation questions, rule interpretation and recall of safety and legal content. Confirm the exact paper structure and any oral or practical components with SAMSA or your accredited provider before you book.
How long is the exam and how many questions are there?
Those details are set by SAMSA and can change between syllabus revisions, so they are not stated here. The official body publishes the current figure - check the SAMSA website or ask your accredited training provider for the paper you will actually sit.
What pass mark do I need, and what does it cost?
Pass marks and fees are set and periodically revised by SAMSA, so this page deliberately does not quote them. Refer to SAMSA's official publications and your training provider's current fee schedule for the authoritative numbers, including any separate practical assessment and certificate issue charges.
How hard is it compared with the inshore ticket?
It is a clear step up. The 40 nm range brings more open-water navigation, longer passages, heavier weather and greater independence, so chartwork and meteorology questions go deeper. Candidates who already hold an inshore qualification usually find the seamanship familiar but need real work on position fixing and passage planning.
What if I fail - can I rewrite?
Retake arrangements are governed by SAMSA and your provider's scheduling, and the terms are not fixed on this page. Ask your training provider about rewrite windows, whether a fee applies and any waiting period. Build in time before your intended commercial start date in case a rewrite is needed.
In what order should I study the subjects?
Start with charts and publications, because position fixing and passage planning depend on them. Then tides and meteorology, since they feed into planning. Learn the collision regulations and buoyage early and revise them weekly - they are pure recall and easy marks. Leave law, communications and safety details for last, as they are largely memory work.
What do candidates most often get wrong?
Three things recur: shaky chartwork under time pressure, especially plotting and tidal calculations; half-learned collision regulations where the candidate knows the rule but not its exceptions; and weak buoyage recognition when shapes and lights are mixed. Safety and legal questions are usually lost through careless reading rather than lack of knowledge.
Do I need sea time or a practical assessment?
Yes - a theory pass alone does not make you a skipper. SAMSA requires practical competence and logged experience, assessed through accredited providers. The exact hours and assessment format are set by regulation, so confirm the current requirements with SAMSA or your provider before enrolling.
How long is the certificate valid?
Validity and renewal terms are set by SAMSA and are not quoted here. Check the current certificate conditions on SAMSA's site, and diarise your renewal date early - letting a certificate lapse can mean re-assessment rather than simple revalidation.
Is this page official SAMSA material?
No. This is independent study content written to help you prepare. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to SAMSA. For any binding requirement - syllabus content, fees, dates, validity or assessment rules - rely on SAMSA and your accredited training provider.