For a safety inspection of a vessel moored in the water, SAMSA now require a hull inspection by a safety officer every 4 years, with interim hull inspections by the owner.

The initial hull inspection conducted by a safety officer will be valid for 24 months from the date of the inspection. The safety officer will send the hull inspection report to SA Sailing – or better still – upload it through the system. The SA Sailing administrator will then issue a hull inspection certificate (HIC) via email.

A hull inspection conducted by the owner extends the validity period by 24 months from the date of the owner’s hull inspection, but to a maximum of 48 months from the date of the initial safety inspection by the safety officer. There will be no charge for issuing a hull inspection certificate extension

The owner may do more than one extension, on the understanding that the hull inspection certificate cannot be extended beyond 48 months from the initial safety officer inspection. So if the boat comes out of the water 18 months after the initial safety officer hull inspection, the owner may choose to do a hull inspection himself, extending the life from 24 months to 42 months (i.e. 18 months plus 24 months). If the boat comes out of the water again 36 months after the initial safety officer hull inspection, the owner may choose to do another hull inspection himself, extending the life of the HIC to its maximum of 48 months from the initial safety officer hull inspection

From July 2020, SA Sailing will require a valid HIC for a vessel where the safety inspection is conducted on the vessel in the water. So it is important for the owner to get a hull inspection done when he next takes his boat out of the water for antifouling– otherwise he may be faced with the cost of taking it out again just to get the hull inspected by a safety officer.

Once you have uploaded your proof of payment, you need to contact a safety officer to arrange for the hull inspection. You are required to complete the Hull Inspection Check Sheet before the safety officer arrives for the hull inspection. He will not inspect the hull until you have completed that process.

The hull inspection should take place when the hull has been cleaned but before it is antifouled.

You will receive your hull inspection certificate by email.