If you are a South African Citizen, or a Foreign Citizen living in South Africa for longer than three months, you require a South African Sailing (SAS) Certificate of Competence (CoC) (Skippers Ticket) to skipper a yacht in South African waters.

RYA certificates are not accepted by SAS or SAMSA, and neither authority will convert a RYA certificate to a SAS certificate.

South African Sailing is aware of the RYA scheme, and does recognise the high level of theoretical and practical tuition received during RYA courses.  They still require a local examination to satisfy legal requirements.

We recommend the following to students who are completing, or who already have, RYA qualifications, and who wish to sail in South African waters:

Day Skipper Level:

1. Download sample questions from the SAS website and ensure you are comfortable with all theoretical components.  90% of the theory is covered in the RYA Day Skippers Course, and we endeavour to include all aspects of the SAS course during the RYA courses.
2. Contact your closest SAS office, submit an exam application, and request an exam date.
3. The theory exam will have to be followed by a practical exam.

The practical exams can be arranged by the school, and we often include a one day exam during the week of the second Day Skipper Practical week or boathandling week.  We are confident that if you have passed the RYA Day Skipper Practical course, you will pass the SAS Day Skipper Practical Exam.

Coastal Skipper Level:

1. Download sample questions from the SAS website and ensure you are comfortable with all theoretical components.  90% of the theory is covered in the RYA Coastal / Yachtmaster Offshore Skippers Course, and we endeavour to include all aspects of the SAS course during the RYA courses.
2. Contact your closest SAS office, submit an exam application, and request an exam date.
3. The theory exam will have to be followed by a practical exam.

If you are completing the RYA Coastal Skipper Course and Examination, the SAS and RYA Practical Exam can be conducted simultaneously.  This should please be requested via the school. 

Yachtmaster Offshore Level:

You will be requires to write a theory exam for your SAS Yachtmaster Offshore ticket.  The major difference in the content is the inclusion of Meridian passage calculations in determining position.  Sample questions should be downloaded from the SAS website.  You should be a SAS Coastal Skipper before being allowed to complete a higher ticket.

Yachtmaster Ocean Level:

You will in most instances have to fulfill all the requirements of the SAS Yachtmaster Ocean Qualification.  This includes a navigation, practical, and oral exam.