Category R

Category R is restricted to inland waters, dams, rivers, harbours and tidal lagoons in South Africa, for non-commercial vessels. The entry requirements for the course are:

You need to be 16 years or older
2 copies of your Identity Document
4 ID photos
Medical Certificate
Eye sight test
25 hours of logged water time
Theoretical lecture
One hour exam
Practical test

Category R is the easiest level of skipper’s ticket. This ticket is suitable for people living upcountry and people that have no intention of entering the sea.

The course covers the syllabus set out by SAMSA. It covers basic chartwork, emergency procedure, handling and mechanics and first aid.

Email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for any further information you may require.

Category R Skippers Course Information

The Course

The course consists of a lecture and a 1 hour exam. We cover the following:-

Basic compass work
Emergency procedures
Boat handling
Engines
Law
First aid.

The pass mark for each section is 60%

The Venue

The Category R course is held at the Varsity College, Harwin Road, Pietermaritzburg. Report to reception when you arrive and they will advise which classroom the course is in.

The Lecture

The lectures are held on a Wednesday night, starting at 18:30. Kindly confirm your preferred date of attendance via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Results

Your result takes approximately 14 days to be calculated and it is then sms’d and a temporary ticket is drawn up, which can be emailed or you can collect it.

The Cost

The course fee for Category R is R1300 per person excl vat ( R1482.00 ) and this covers the following:

Examiner fees
Lecturer fees
Stationary
NDSAA registration fees
SADSAA registration fees
SAMSA fees
Emails
SMS
Administration fees
Venue fees

Should you wish to pay via EFT, the details are as follows:-

Bank: First National Bank

Branch: Midlands Mall

Branch Code: 257355

Account Type: Cheque

Account Number: 62273497076

Account Holder: Aqua Academy Skipper Training cc

Please bring proof of payment to the lecture on the night that you attend the course.

The Requirements

Medical form - please get this filled out by your doctor or clinic and have it stamped.

Eyesight form - please have an eye sight test done and get the form stamped. Specsavers charge R52.

Log sheet - please fill out your personal details. We need to know that you have more than 25hrs water time. You can explain it as follows: I have been boating from 19…. to 2009 at various dams in Natal, then sign it and have the affidavit completed by a Commissioner of Oaths. (It is the examiners decision whether he will want to conduct a practical exam or not. If you have been boating for the last 10 years, probably not but if you are sixteen then most definitely yes.)

Four ID photos.

Photocopy of your ID document.

The Certificate

A temporary certificate will be issued every six months, after receipt of the requirements listed above, while your permanent ticket is been processed.

The Details

The lecturer and the examiner cannot teach and examine the same class. The exam is a closed book exam. This course is not about grammar and spelling, but rather a chance for us to show you the basics about boating. The more time you spend on the water, the more you will see how the basics fall into place. Category R is the stepping stone and you can upgrade as you like with more hours under your belt.

We hope this information helps and we look forward to seeing you at the lecture and on the water!

Good luck!

AQUA ACADEMY SKIPPER TRAINING

Clifford Saville S-ZN-0002 SDA

Graeme Saville S-ZN-0003 SDA

(SAMSA Accredited Examiners)

Aqua Academy Skipper Training cc is a Vat registered business.

If you need to pick up manuals we are at 15a kinnoull, Pelham, PMB.

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