South African Maritime Safety Authority

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is a South African government agency established on 1 April 1998 as a result of the 1998 South African Maritime Safety Authority Act 5. as such it is responsible for the implementation of current International & National Regulations regarding the Maritime Industry as well as upon all recreational marine vessels within its jurisdiction.
SAMSA via the administration and/or management of all things marine related is in effect the governing authority and as such is required to investigate maritime accidents/incidents & to provide various marine related services both on behalf of Government as well as to Government.
Overview of services 
To & on behalf of Government:
To Maritime Industry (local & International): 
To Stakeholders:
It is subordinate to the Minister of Transport, who heads the Department of Transport. Despite it being a marine authority its head office is over 500 km away from the nearest ocean in Pretoria.
SAMSA administers the South African ship register.
In July 2012 the authority acquired the former Antarctic supply vessel S. A. "Agulhas" as a training ship.