Camping And Boating
Boat in Benoni

Welcome to “Camping and Boating Centre”, The Largest Manufacturers of Fibreglass and Inflatable Boats in Southern Africa.

After many years, Camping and Boating now manufacture close on 180 different models of marine vessels. We currently manufacture every aspects of the boat build from Inflatables, fiber glass, stainless fittings, motor installations, seating upholstery, trailer manufacture, windscreen application, skipper courses, VHF radio courses, Certificate of fitness, buoyancy installations, Outboard and inboard services, Full retail shop and many more service’s and products! Camping and Boating Centre has the most qualified staff to assist you with any marine application! We offer buoyancy installations as well as inspection of current buoyancy! Although the same standards are recommended, the reality is that due to the variations of craft involved, strict adherence to the above mentioned standard is not required. A reasonable and appropriate effort should be made to ensure that the vessel cannot sink. It should be obvious that a simple standard amount of buoyancy will not be appropriate as vessels are constructed of various materials such as steel, aluminium, or from lightweight and buoyant materials such as foam sandwich construction. An individual calculation has to be made in every case to ensure that the vessel achieves the desired platform. An industry norm has been developed where 60% built-in buoyancy has been shown to be sufficient on wood and GRP constructions. The 60% means the following: The volume (Mass) of water displaced by the buoyancy (i.e. the foam or bottles) provided inside the vessel must represent a figure of 60% of the gross weight of the vessel. Gross weight means; the weight of the vessel, engines, stores, fuel, persons etc. (See a worked example on the SAMSA flotation certificate further down) It is important to note however that this is only a tried and tested formula on the type of vessels for which it is intended, namely the mass of wood and GRP ski-boats which make up the majority of the vessels at sea. Regarding category R vessels (inland waters) and the exempted vessels mentioned in regulation 27, SAMSA, in conjunction with the Boat Building Industry Association of South Africa (BIASA), has determined that sufficient buoyancy is provided to meet the requirements of the regulations when 30% of the vessel’s weight (weight of boat, engine, fuel, stores, equipment but not persons) is fitted as buoyancy. Note, a rigid hull is not included in this calculation, and also that extreme uses of inflatable vessels for commercial use such as cargo carrying or the like may require additional buoyancy to the satisfaction of SAMSA, by way of foam filled hulls or additional compartments, as this was never the intention of this exception. Vessels such as category C, D & E pleasure sailing vessels (yachts) are still exempted from buoyancy or carrying a life raft. They are required to carry life rings (1 per two persons) and operate no more than 30 miles from a safe haven during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset).