All candidates for the Coastal Skipper and Skipper Offshore ≥9m commercial certificates are required to pass the prescribed SAMSA letter and lantern test which are carried out at certain SAMSA offices. (The reason being the portability of these certificates to >25GT vessels and subsequent career paths.) The SAMSA letter and lantern test is also required by candidates applying for the passenger vessel (unrestricted) endorsement.
The eyesight test for the lower levels of certification may be carried out by the doctor conducting a medical examination, and included in the doctor's certificate. For other cases where an eyesight certificate is specifically required (excluding the cases mentioned in the paragraph above), this may be an eyesight test certificate issued either by a SAMSA office, or by an optometrist who is a member of the South African Medical Association.
The test certificate shall be valid for a period of one year. It must state:
(a) the date of examination;
(b) the name and address of the examining body or organisation;
(c) the signature of the examiner;
(d) whether or not the candidate has passed or failed the lantern (or Ishihara) test specified below;
and
(e) whether or not the candidate passed the letter test with or without aids to vision.
The sight test shall comprise a letter and lantern test. Where there is no lantern available the requirements of the “Ishihara" card test for colour-blindness will suffice.
The tests are as follows:
The letter test
Shall be conducted on Snellen's principle by means of sheets which will contain 6 lines, the 3rd, 4th,
5th, and 6th lines corresponding to standards 6/24, 6/18, 6/12 and 6/9 respectively, and the candidate will be required to read correctly down to and including line 6, with either or both eyes, with or without aids to vision.
The lantern test
Will be the same as that conducted by SAMSA for candidates seeking admission to an examination for a first certificate of competency as deck officer or fisherman. (Only available at selected SAMSA offices)
The “Ishihara" card test
Will be the test that is specified in the booklet entitled; The Series of Plates designed as Tests for Colour-Blindness by Doctor Shinobu Ishihara".
NOTE: An examination candidate who is colour blind shall be limited to Day Skipper Certification. No aids to vision to correct colour-blindness deficiencies in a candidate 's ability to pass the lantern or Ishihara card tests will be permitted.
MEDICAL CERTIFICATES
Medical Certificates (These are required for Commercial Coastal Skipper and Offshore Skipper ≥9m Certificates, as well as unrestricted passenger vessel endorsements). These certificates can only be obtained from SAMSA approved doctors, a list of which is published from time to time in a Marine Notice. The latest copy may be obtained from the nearest SAMSA port office or from www.samsa.org.za.
Doctors Certificates on Prescribed Form. (These are required for the intermediate certificates as specified). These certificates can be obtained from any registered doctor, provided he issues the certificate on the prescribed form, which is attached to below link to the relevant Marine Notice.
Any Doctors Certificates (These are required for the lower levels of Skipper Certificates as specified). These certificates can be obtained from any registered doctor. There is no particular format; however, the doctor shall declare the candidate fit to operate a small vessel.
Click on the link to access the relevant marine notice
Click here to obtain ANNEX 8 Small Vessel Certificate of Competency Conversion Application (ICT to add below link to existing website)
Click here to obtain ANNEX 17 Prescribed Doctors Certificate (ICT to add below link to existing website)
Click here to obtain ANNEX 6 Small Vessel Certificate of Competency Application (ICT to add below link to existing website)
