South African Maritime Safety Authority

Overview

The mission of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is to promote South Africa’s maritime interests, and development and position the country as an international Maritime Centre, while ensuring maritime safety, health and environmental protection.

In line with its objectives, SAMSA’s primary areas of responsibility include: participating in the development and implementation of national and international maritime safety and marine environment protection standards; enforcing technical and operational standards for all shipping operations in South African waters and for South African ships anywhere, to promote responsible operations in terms of seaworthiness, safety and pollution prevention; enforcing training standards and competency of seafarers; managing the national capability to respond to marine pollution incidents and other maritime emergencies; operating the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre to coordinate maritime assistance services, and detect and coordinate the location and rescue of people in maritime distress situations throughout the internationally agreed South African Search and Rescue Region; overseeing the provision of maritime distress and safety communications services to discharge South Africa’s responsibilities under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System; administering South Africa’s voluntary ship reporting system (SAFREP) for identifying and tracking ships at sea for safety purposes, and to provide a ships’ database for responding to marine emergencies; investigating maritime casualties; and delivering related services, including public awareness and education in marine safety and pollution prevention, administration of South Africa’s ship registration system, and publication of, and access to, ship safety and environmental standards.