South African Maritime Safety Authority
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is a South African government agency responsible for the implementation of current international and national regulations regarding the maritime industry as well as upon all recreational marine vessels within its jurisdiction.

It is mandated in ensuring the safety of life and property at sea, preventing and combating of pollution of the marine environment by ships and promotion of the Republic’s maritime interests.

It was established on 1 April 1998 as a result of the South African Maritime Safety Authority Act 5 of 1998.

Overview of services

On behalf of Government: 
 Advise Government on maritime issues relating to or affecting South Africa
 Administer current legislation & policies, submit additional proposals thereon as & when required so as to flag State Implementation
 Represent South Africa at international forums, liaise with foreign governments & other International institutions on behalf of South African Government
 On behalf of the Minister of Transport liaise with other South African institutions & various State Departments 
 Administration of government maritime contracts
 Provide a maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) capability within the South African area of responsibility - via the management (on behalf of DOT) of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC)
 Conduct Accident investigations and provide Emergency Casualty Response
 Control of State Ports, including management of the DOT contracted pollution prevention and response capability

To Maritime Industry (Local & International) 
 Conduct Statutory surveys and issue Safety certification of vessels
 Certification of Seafarers
 Provide Assistance and advice on maritime legislation
 Provide advice & grant approval in construction and refitting of vessels, including the evaluation & approval of fittings & equipment used.
 Consultancy to industry on technical matters, safety and qualifications

To Stakeholders 
 Safety equipment approval
 Port State Control Inspections
 Inspections of ships and cargoes of timber, grain and hazardous goods
 Accreditation of maritime training institutions and maritime training programmes
 Monitoring of South African seafarers’ welfare and conditions of service
 Provision of maritime safety information to shipping & ensuring a reliable radio service
 Ensuring that navigational aids are in place around the South African coastline
 Assimilation and maintenance of shipping information and statistics

It is subordinate to the Minister of Transport, who heads the Department of Transport. Despite it being a marine authority, its head office is located in  Pretoria, at least 500 km away from the nearest ocean.

SAMSA administers the South African ship register.

History 
In July 2012 the authority acquired the former Antarctic supply vessel S. A. Agulhas as a training ship.

See also 

 National Sea Rescue Institute

References

External links

 South African Maritime Safety Authority

Government agencies of South Africa
Maritime safety organizations
1998 establishments in South Africa
Government agencies established in 1998
Ship classification societies