New to Boating - Rules & Regulations HELP?

[platinumblue]

Hello there forum,


I am very new to boating so please bear with me regarding some "silly/stupid" questions.  I did a few Google, as well as forum searches but now I find the information a bit overwhelming and am a bit confused.

I recently bought a boat which I am fixing up a.t.m., but I'm not sure what the legal requirements are regarding the following (for when I'm ready to launch) : 


*Skippers license :  Is it compulsory for everyone?  I just want to water ski and enjoy myself on a nearby river.  (70hp Chrysler outboard, if engine size matters)

*Buoyancy requirements :  Foam or..?  Where can I get it done? 

*Certificate of fitness

*Registration number on the side of the boat

*Equipment/accessories needed inside the boat ?  (spark plugs/toolbox/life jackets etc)


I downloaded a few SAMSA marine notices but just want to make sure I have the latest requirements handy so I can start sorting it all out to be legal on the water.


Thank you for your time and advice.
 

 

[willem wikkel spies]

yes much has been spoken / said about it already.

but let me be the first to reply.

1. welcome to sealine, hope you enjoy your stay here. plenty of info and much to learn.

regarding your questions:
1. a licence is required for any essel with a outboard engine bigger then 15 hp.
thus up to 15 hp no skippers required.
2. you get different licences for vessels.
a. inland waters
b. harbors
c. sheltered launch sites.
d. surf launch.

then the licence of c and d, you can get a 1nm, 5nm and 15nm skippers licence. I understand that they are doing away with one of them.

but or your requirements, a inland skippers ticket is enough.

where can you get it done, Well Tony Lindhorst in Vereniging does training etc. it only takes a day with some practical issues on the water, you know, like rules of the water, etc. reversing the boat, launching I from the trailer and putting it up.

I believe the costs are in the region of R 1500. might be more or less.

ok, Bouancy:
a fresh water vessel "inland waters" needs a positive buoyancy of 30% when the vessel is up turned.

I think marine notice 8 of 2011 does deal with this issue.

type of buoyancy:
bottels filled with beads might be still allowed on inland waters, but check.

then you get the closed cell foam, rx121 which can be used, but it must be completely sealed.
this foam, is a to part mix, 50/50% and is also temperature related on the expanding of it.

or you can use, Sondor foam. it looks just like a mattress and you can cut it in pieces and fill the hull as needed.
this foam is very expensive.

Tony Lindhorst also does the foam aspects of vessels.
I am not recommending him as such, just merely mentioning his name as he is in Vereeniging.
you need to do your homework and decide who will do it. you can however do all yourself, but you will need proof, like pictures and mathematical sums to proof the buoyancy should be at least 30%

ok, buoyancy certificate are only valid for 5 years.
inspection holes re also needed on foam "I don't like it, but that's how the safety officers wants it"

when using bottles, coke bottles will not do it, there are prescribed bottles.

so only when you have a valid buoyancy certificate and all the safety kit, will a COF be issued which is valid for one year.
again Tony lindhorst will issue COF's.

with the issuing of a COF, let say at Tony, he will then provide you with a number which you need to place o the vessel. it is normally included in the price of the new COF

the safety equipment etc needed are that I know of:
fire extinguisher
life jackets the amount for which the vessel is licensed
bailing bucket, steel type.
flags "ski"
medical kit
?
?
?

one aspect, you do not need to be a member of a club!
but I see that launching sites are now requiring that you join their club etc.

other members can assist me here as I do offshore and not inland as such.

if you have any other questions, let them rip!
I hope you enjoy your stay here, plenty of info etc.

 

[platinumblue]

Thank you very much @willem wikkel spies!


You've spared me a bunch of headaches already.

Now I have a better understanding and can continue working out the wiring on my boat.

When I am ready I will contact Tony and go from there.


Ek waardeer dit opreg dat jy soveel tyd afgestaan het om my vrae te beantwoord!  Hoop jy het 'n wonderlike dag! 


God Bless!

 

[Psy]

All your information is outlined in the SAMSA Notices.


see this link for further/more useless information


http://www.goodhopepowerboatacademy.co.za/samsa_documents/National%20Small%20Vessel%20Regulations.pdf