Debbie James is the Manager of the Centre for Boating at the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), where she oversees small vessel safety compliance. She has been instrumental in revising the Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessels Safety) Regulations, leading extensive stakeholder consultations across the country. Under her leadership, SAMSA has strengthened boating safety through inspection campaigns, surveyor training workshops, and closer collaboration with enforcement authorities to improve standards on inland and coastal waters.