The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is a South African government agency responsible for the implementation of current international and national regulations regarding the maritime industry as well as upon all recreational marine vessels within its jurisdiction.

[1] It is mandated in ensuring the safety of life and property at sea, preventing and combating of pollution of the marine environment by ships and promotion of the Republic’s maritime interests.

It was established on 1 April 1998 as a result of the South African Maritime Safety Authority Act 5 of 1998.

Despite it being a marine authority, its head office is located in Pretoria, at least 500 km away from the nearest ocean.

[4] In July 2012 the authority acquired the former Antarctic supply vessel S. A. Agulhas as a training ship.