South African boat licence (Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper)
Skipper by day, close to shelter
Units69
Modules9
Ready now50
Done0
Graded by vessel category and length, from Day Skipper up, from age 16: a written exam in which chartwork and seamanship each need 60%, plus oral and practical assessment.
What you study
COLREG
Inshore skipper
- Who the rules apply to, and key definitions
- Look-out, safe speed, risk of collision and action to avoid it
- Narrow channels and traffic separation schemes
- Sailing vessels, overtaking and head-on situations
- Crossing: who gives way, who stands on
- Responsibilities between vessels
- Restricted visibility
- Quiz: the steering and sailing rules
- Lights you show and see on a small boat
- Lights: definitions, power-driven and towing vessels
- Lights: sailing, fishing, restricted and anchored vessels
- Quiz: lights and shapes
- Vessel lights in 3D
- Sound and light signals
- Distress signals (Rule 37 and Annex IV)
- Quiz: sound signals
- Game: sound signal guess
- Key terms: COLREG
- COLREG foundations check
IALA
Inshore skipper
Navigation
Inshore skipper
- Reading a nautical chart: latitude, longitude, symbols and depths
- Steering a compass course and taking a bearing
- GPS and chart plotter basics: position, waypoints and limits
- Quiz: charts, compass and position
- Navigation foundations check
- Reading a Portuguese tide table
Meteorology
Crew
Inshore skipper
- Practice: read a forecast and decide whether to go
- Quiz: marine weather
Ropes and knots
Crew
Emergencies
Crew
- Safety equipment and the crew safety briefing
- Fire on board: prevention and fighting
- Safety on board: foundations check
Manoeuvring
Inshore skipper
- Propeller walk, rudder, wind and current
- Berthing and leaving the berth
- Docking simulator
- Towing and being towed
- Anchoring manoeuvres: choosing a spot, letting go and the anchor watch
Ship and engines
Inshore skipper
Law and watchkeeping
Inshore skipper
- Boating rules: licences, documents, required equipment and zones
- Quiz: boating rules
- Boating rules check
South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)South Africa: all licences