South Africa recently participated in the Test Biofouling Regional In-Water Cleaning Technology Demonstration and Workshop, that took place on 05 – 08 October in Cape Town, South Africa.

The workshop brought together maritime administrations, port authorities, environmental agencies, technical experts and other stakeholders from across the region.

The workshop explored the international framework for effective biofouling management and shared national experiences to hands-on technology demonstrations covering key elements of the in-water cleaning process; from inspection and cleaning to capture, filtration, verification and documentation.

The session also focussed on connecting the practical experiences with regulation and implementation, examining port and regulatory perspectives, institutional arrangements, and opportunities to strengthen national and regional approaches to environmentally responsible biofouling management.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) was honoured to have been a part of this session and was represented by Captain Ravi Naicker Naicker who gave a presentation on the Technical Foundations and Regional Context National Responsibilities for South Africa and Capt Neville Noble who delivered the closing remarks on behalf of the country.

National Department of Transport

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is proud to have joined the second FAO International Course on the Coordinated Implementation of the Three Treaties that was recently hosted in Cape Town, South Africa.

The FAO International Course on the Coordinated Implementation of the Three Treaties is a strategic international capacity-building initiative that brings together maritime, fisheries and labour authorities from across Africa to strengthen the inspection and regulation of fishing vessels.

Our CEO, Captain Dennis Mqadi, with the members from the SAMSA EXCO attended the opening session to demonstrate the Authority’s support for this crucial programme. By hosting this programme, South Africa reinforces its leadership role in advancing maritime governance and strengthening Africa’s collective capacity to combat illegal fishing, improve safety at sea and protect those who work in the fishing industry.

The programme is coordinated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Abuja MoU) and other regional partners.

The course centres on the coordinated implementation of three landmark international instruments, namely the ILO Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (C188), the FAO Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), 2009, and the IMO Cape Town Agreement (CTA), 2012. Together, these instruments seek to address three interconnected challenges affecting the global fishing sector.

The programme reflects a growing international recognition that maritime safety, labour standards and fisheries management can no longer be addressed in isolation. Instead, effective governance of the fishing sector requires integrated approaches that promote collaboration between maritime authorities, fisheries inspectors and labour regulators.

This week, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) completed 3 Business-to Business Stakeholder Sessions in regions across South Africa.

The interactive industry collaboration sessions began in Richards Bay, proceeded to Durban and then concluded in Port Elizabeth.

These sessions give our stakeholders access to the SAMSA leadership, including our CEO where issues that impact their business or experience overall can be tabled and addressed.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all those who gathered in conversation with us to witness first hand the positive change that is happening within the Authority, and invite you to continue to journey with us as we work towards improving how we serve you.

In March this year, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) launched its Maritime Industry Business-to-Business (B2B) Engagement Sessions designed to bridge the gap between SAMSA and Stakeholders within the sector.

When we launched the sessions, we promised to return in 6 months to give an update on the changes since the inaugural sessions. We have kept that promise by once again inviting our stakeholders to collaborative sessions with the SAMSA CEO, Captain Dennis Mqadi and members of the EXCO.

We commenced the sessions this morning in Richards Bay and will proceed to other port regions throughout the country to ensure that no one is left behind.

SAMSA believes that strengthening partnerships is key to navigating the future and we invite you on this journey with us as we rise to meet the demands of rapidly transforming maritime sector.

We look forward to building strategic partnerships to support the maritime sector as it evolves and grows.

On 07 October 2026, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) reached a significant milestone in its digital transformation journey with the official launch of its Online Services Platform, an innovation set to enhance service delivery, improve accessibility and provide a more seamless experience for maritime stakeholders across South Africa.

The platform was officially launched in Cape Town by Captain Dennis Mqadi, Chief Executive Officer of SAMSA, who has consistently championed the modernisation and digitalisation of maritime regulatory services as a strategic priority for the Authority.

The SAMSA Online Services, a single digital gateway to the growing suite of SAMSA services represents a major step towards SAMSA’s vision of becoming a fully digital organisation capable of providing efficient, transparent and customer-centric services to seafarers, vessel owners, maritime institutions and other maritime stakeholders.

A key indicator of the value and relevance of SAMSA’s digital transformation programme has been the positive response from industry stakeholders.

The SAMSA Online Services Platform has been operational since July 2026 with two active modules, namely the Seafarer Services Portal and the Vessel Management System that have already recorded encouraging levels of user adoption and engagement.

SAMSA Online Services is accessible via https://applications.samsa.org.za/ as well as via the SAMSA website through the services tab.

The Authority encourages all maritime stakeholders to register on the platform and make use of the growing range of digital services available. Queries related to the system may also be handled digitally using the following link housed on the SAMSA website https://www.samsa.org.za/contact-us?section=query-form

This groundbreaking initiative is an enabler for a smarter, faster and more responsive maritime administration that supports the growth and competitiveness of South Africa’s maritime sector and our journey towards our goal of being a world-class safety and regulatory authority, championing South Africa’s global, regional and domestic maritime interests.

01 October 2026

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has initiated a preliminary enquiry following the fatal incident involving the tug Umkhuseli, which occurred approximately 47 nautical miles south of Mossel Bay in the morning of 30 September 2026.

The enquiry follows the actived Search and Rescue (SAR) operation coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) Cape Town. After an extensive search involving both air and surface rescue assets, three bodies were recovered, while two persons remain missing.

Preliminary information indicates that the incident began when a crew member reportedly fell overboard while working on deck. In response, a Fast Rescue Boat (FRB) carrying four crew members was launched from the vessel to recover the individual. The FRB subsequently capsized, resulting in a total of five persons entering the water.

Immediately following notification of the incident, MRCC Cape Town activated a coordinated SAR response, mobilising a range of maritime and aviation assets. Vessels in the vicinity were diverted to assist with the search, while rescue efforts were supported by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and the South African Police Services (SAPS) water wings and helicopter resources.

Following a comprehensive assessment of the search and rescue operation and consideration of all available information the active search and rescue was concluded.

SAMSA also extends its appreciation to all organisations and personnel who participated in the search and rescue operation, including the crews of the assisting vessels, aviation crews, rescue personnel, and the staff of MRCC Cape Town.

Further updates will be provided as and when information becomes available.

ENDS

Issued by:
South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)

Media Enquiries:
Corporate Affairs and Media Relations
South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)
Email: mediaenquiries@samsa.org.za

The Vaal River came alive on 24 September 2026 as boating enthusiasts descended on Vanderbijlpark for the start of the Vaal River Boating Season.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority’s (SAMSA) Boating Unit, together with the Pretoria Operations, Certification Unit, and Corporate Affairs Centre were right there among them, conducting a safety awareness campaign and ad-hoc safety inspection amid dozens of boats out on the water.

With boats of every shape and size taking to the Vaal for the seasonal opening, the team seized the opportunity to engage directly with skippers, boat owners, and general members of the public, checking safety compliance and reminding the boating community that a great day on the water starts with the right precautions.

SAMSA’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), Mr Ndzimeni Ramugondo, joined the SAMSA team on the ground, trading the boardroom for the boat ramp for the day to get firsthand experience of a ride aboard a South African Police Service (SAPS) Water Wing vessel to observe safety checks around the river.

Ad-hoc safety inspections were carried out in collaboration with the SAPS Water Wing from Vanderbijlpark, whose presence on the water added an extra layer of oversight and reinforced the message that boating safety is a shared responsibility between SAMSA and law enforcement.

Together, the teams patrolled the river, engaging boaters and keeping a watchful eye over the day’s festivities. Running through the day’s safety awareness campaign was a theme to keep in mind for every skipper on South African waters: “Don’t Drink and Skipper (Drive) a Boat.”

With SAMSA and SAPS Water Wing out on the water together, the Vaal River Boating Season kicked off on a note of shared responsibility as SAMSA moves full speed with its safety awareness campaign aimed at South Africa’s inland waters.

Celebrating Our Living Heritage: Strengthening the Ties That Bind Us – the theme that encompasses this year’s Heritage Day.

Today, South Africa pauses to celebrate something truly special, the extraordinary tapestry of cultures, languages and traditions that make up our nation, known as Heritage Day.

The SAMSA colleagues did just that and came together to celebrate their uniqueness in their beautiful, colourful and gorgeous traditional outfits.

Just like most organisations, the South African Matitime Safety Authority (SAMSA) consists of people from different corners of the country and different walks of life, all working side by side toward one shared maritime mandate. In many ways, that’s the heart of Heritage Day, not uniformity, but unity built from diversity.

We take this moment to wish you all a memorable Heritage Day – whether you’re firing up the braai, dressed up in your traditional attire, visiting a heritage site, or simply spending quality time with your loved ones.

Happy Heritage Day!

The OHS & Maritime Welfare Unit of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) recently visited the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) to discuss issues related to seafarer welfare.

The visit forms part of SAMSA’s continued efforts to form stronger ties with maritime and transport organisations to enhance collaboration and enable us to serve the maritime community better.

The visit focused on issues affecting both the welfare of South African cadets as well as that of South African seafarers. The discussions included the latest developments around the world and on emerging issues affecting seafarers.

The two entities delved into the 2025 amendments of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and its implications.

SAMSA will continue to interact with related organisations on issues affecting seafarer welfare, as well as collaborate on initiatives focused on seafarer welfare.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) held its Annual General Metting (AGM) on Friday 18 September 2026 at its Pretoria Head Office.

The meeting was a culmination of the work that the authority has been doing to stabilise its operational and financial capabilities to steer a clear path in line with the SAMSA vision “To be a world-class safety and regulatory authority, championing South Africa’s global, regional and domestic maritime interests.”

SAMSA, under the leadership of Captain Dennis Mqadi with the support of the board, has achieved an 81% execution rate on its annual Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the 2025/26 financial year – a clear indicator of the steady progress toward operational excellence and a more capable, responsive entity.

It is important to acknowledge that the steady progress of the organisation is because of all the SAMSA employees who give their time and dedication to ensuring that SAMSA delivers on its mandate.