COURSE CONTENT
Here’s a brief overview of what you’ll learn in the power boat licence course:
- Planning your trip
- Understanding marine safety, legal obligations and seaworthiness
- Main parts of a small recreational boat
- Boat maintenance
- Safety equipment and pre-launch checks
- GPS systems and determining a position
- Applying the COLREGS system of navigation to prevent collision at sea
- Weather and tides
- Responding to marine emergencies and incidents
In addition, the practical component on our vessel includes explanation, demonstration, practice and assessment of the following activities:
- Maneuvers at slow speed – 6 knots or less, Port and Starboard turns and figure 8
- Maneuvers at speed (on the plane) – Port and Starboard turns and figure 8
- Man overboard drill
- Safely approach a floating object
- Emergency stop
- Berthing and unberthing
- General navigation and control of the boat
On successful completion of the boat licence course, you’ll receive a Statement of Competency (SoC). It’s like an official piece of paper verifying that you have passed all the necessary theory and practical assessments, but IT’S NOT A BOAT LICENCE!
To acquire your Recreational Marine Driver Licence, you must present your SoC at a Transport and Motoring Service Centre (better known as the Department of Transport and Main Roads Customer Service Centre) within 6 months of issue at which time you will pay further govt. charges.
Again, your statement of competency (SoC) is not a boat licence or even a temporary licence. If you get pulled over by the Water Police with no licensed person on board and you pull out your SoC, no excuse will be good enough. You will receive a fine.