Skipper Ace: Skipper's Licence

⚠️ NOT A GOVERNMENT APP: Skipper Ace is an independent study aid. It is not made by, endorsed by or affiliated with SAMSA, any authorised agency or any government entity, and it does not issue certificates. Always confirm requirements with your examiner and the official sources listed below.

Prepare for the theory exam for your South African small vessel skipper's certificate of competence - Category R, E, D, C, B or A.

★ READ THE LIGHTS AT NIGHT
Identify vessels from their navigation lights, seen from ahead, from either side or from astern. Trawlers, pilots, vessels not under command, towing, at anchor or aground. A question is never asked when two vessels would look the same from that side.

★ EVERY BUOY, DAY AND NIGHT
Lateral, cardinal, isolated danger, safe water, special and emergency wreck marks, drawn to the IALA Region A standard used in South African waters, with their light rhythms flashing as they do at sea.

★ RULES OF THE ROAD
Crossing, head-on and overtaking, who gives way to whom, narrow channels, safe speed, day shapes, sound signals and restricted visibility, from the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs).

★ THE SMALL VESSEL REGULATIONS
Vessel categories, who needs a certificate, kill switches, fuel reserve, alcohol limits, voyage information and distress signals.

★ MOCK EXAMS, SECTION BY SECTION
Choose your category and whether you need night operation, and sit only the sections you will write. Each section is marked against its own pass mark, and you can set the marks your examiner gives you.

★ EVERY ANSWER SHOWS ITS SOURCE
Each explanation cites the rule or regulation it comes from, so you can check it yourself.

★ YOUR ROUTE TO THE LICENCE
Age, fitness, sea time, logbook, radio, theory and practical, with every point marked by how well it is sourced.

★ WORKS WITHOUT DATA
Everything is on your phone. No account, no sign-up.

★ OFFICIAL SOURCES
Content is written from these public sources, and each is linked in the app under Settings - Sources:
• South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA): https://www.samsa.org.za/
• SAMSA legislation and marine notices: https://www.samsa.org.za/legislation
• Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessel Safety) Regulations, 2007 (Government Gazette 30151): https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/30151b.pdf
• IMO - COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972): https://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/Pages/COLREG.aspx
• COLREGs text - US Coast Guard Navigation Rules handbook (International rules): https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/navigation-rules-amalgamated
• IALA Recommendation R1001, The IALA Maritime Buoyage System (Edition 2.0, 2023): https://www.iala.int/

Rules are explained in original words, not reproduced. Pass marks and exam requirements vary and change: confirm them with your examiner before you write.

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