In July this year, SADSAA changed the parameters for the annual seaworthy (COF) from an annual certificate to a fiscal certificate. A calendar year is always January 1 to December 31. A fiscal year, by contrast, can start and end at any point during the year, as long as it comprises a full twelve months. Thus, the vessel owner may determine when they wish to have their vessel surveyed. If successful, the COF will then remain in effect for a full 12 months from the date of inspection. The onus now rests with the vessel owner to determine when they wish to have their vessel surveyed.

Nomads had planned to hold a seaworthy day in conjunction with the AGM which was originally planned for Saturday 26 October. However, with the date of the AGM changing to Thursday 31 October at 19h00 it will not be possible this year. In addition, with the change from annual to fiscal it is suggested that the members who require COFs on their vessels to make the necessary arrangements with the Nomads safety officials to do the inspections at a time mutually convenient to both.

Please check your current COF. Note that if it expires on 31 December 2019, you will be covered until then. Thereafter you will require a new COF.

The authorised Nomads Safety officers are:

COLIN GREEN                    colin@greensteel.co.za                 082-459-9685

IAN VAN ZYL                      ianvanzyl@gmail.com                    072-234-0633

Cost of a COF: R650.00 (R450.00 to the club, R200 to the safety officer)

Documents necessary (refer to https://www.nomadsfishing.co.za/safety/boat-testing/)

1. Download and complete the necessary checklist per vessel category.
2. ICASA licences for onboard radios – VHF, 29 Mhz
3. Ensure the trailer of the vessel is roadworthy
4. Ensure that all the necessary safety equipment is still within the marked time period before expiration
5. Ensure that the fire extinguishers are serviced (members to arrange for their own servicing of their fire extinguishers)
6. Ensure that the vessel has the correct lifejackets
7. Ensure that the buoyancy certificate is valid and contains the following information:
8. The vessel’s name or number
9. A brief description of the vessel
10. Construction details, type and volume of buoyancy installed below deck
11. Buoyancy calculation and state of
    1. Date of issue
    1. Expiry date of the buoyancy certificate
    1. Signature of the officer issuing the certificate
12. Ensure that all the necessary ICASA radio licences are in your possession
13. If your vessel has a 29Mhz radio, the appropriate 29Mhz licence
14. If your vessel has a VHF radio, two licences are required. One for the VHF radio as well as an VHF operators licence
15. If your vessel has both types of radios, you will be required to present both sets of licences
16. No ICASA licence, no seaworthy inspection will be done on the vessel
17. Kindly note that handheld radios are NOT acceptable – even on jet skis. It must be a base station radio.

If any of the above conditions are not fully satisfied, NO Certificate of Fitness (COF) will be issued.