Operational challenges impact vessel certification

Small vessel certificate extensions implemented

SOUTH AFRICA: Due to operational challenges in processing applications for Small Vessel Certificates of Competency, the South African Maritime Safety Authority has issued a Marine Notice that grants the extension of certificates that expire on or after 31 July 2023 to 31 March 2025.

Giving a background to the latest development, SAMSA says: “SAMSA experienced operational challenges as from the month of April 2023 that affected the turnaround time for processing of all applications for Small Vessel Certificates of Competency.

According to Marine Information Notice (MIN 06-24) issued on Monday morning in Pretoria, the validity period for Small Vessel Interim Certificates of Competency is six (6) months. However, according to the bulletin issued on Monday, the interim certificates issued by SAMSA, appointed small vessel examiners, or accredited institutions that expire on or after 31 July 2023 have been further extended until 31 March 2025.

“At that time, SAMSA anticipated that the time the operations would have been restored to process all the outstanding applications, but that has not been the case. SAMSA continues to put all measures in place to ensure that the systems are fully operational to process all the applications of Small Vessel Certificates of Competency. This Marine Information Notice is a replacement of MIN 11-23 until such time that all applications affected are fully processed.

MIN 06-24, which has yet to be added to the Authority’s website, replaces a previous notice (MIN 11-23) and provides information on the background, challenges faced by SAMSA in processing applications, and the extended validity period for the certificates.

The entity states that certificates affected by the extension “..must be kept on board the vessel along with the Marine Information Notice (MIN) and will be accepted as valid by enforcement officers, gatekeepers, or officials.

Meanwhile, SAMSA said it was working hard to restore full operational capacity and processing of all outstanding applications affected by the delays.