The boss did hers a few months back with ABC Boating College Horizon Shores and thought it was great.
The boss did hers a few months back with ABC Boating College Horizon Shores and thought it was great.
Hi all!
Hope this doesn't tread on too many toes, but as an ex-NSW Licence Tester for the Coastal Patrol in Melbourne, I know how much volunteer groups rely on such things for income, so, if you have a volunteer group conducting Licence Testing wherever you are, (Coast Guard, Coastal Patrol, VMR etc.) how about supporting them by utilising their services. You will receive quality training, and will be supporting their overall programs with your $$$.
Just a thought.
yup i think the go is abc boating
www.abcboating.com/html/brisbane_to_bribie.html
have a look and see where ur port is
its a whole day coarse costs $150 and then around $35 from the transport department to get it on paper.
Archie's
He was great. I did mine at redcliffe but he does days all over the place.
TOPAZ,Originally Posted by TOPAZ
as a MSQ approved licence tester, and an active VMR member, I can advise you that in Qld, volunteer groups do not conduct boat licence training and testing.
by definition, volunteer rescue groups are non-profit organisations, and therefore can not be an approved BTO (BoatSafe Training Organisation), which are for-profit organisations.
rescue groups are a RTO (Registered Training Organisation).
BTO's, in many instances, only use the AVCG and VMR facilities to conduct the training, i.e. training rooms and emergency services pontoons.
these are agreements made with the individual units, and no payment for use of facilities is allowed.
the pontoons are not to be obstructed from use by emergency vessels (rescue or water police, etc) only pick-up and drop-off of students.
the arrangement will work well in most instances, as new boaties are being introduced to the services offered by the rescue groups when they are there getting their licence.
hopefully they will join up also.
some BTO's will offer free membership to the rescue group where the training is conducted.
that was all long winded, I admit, but I just wanted to clear it up for all readers.
regards
Steve.
Steve,
My observations were made on the basis of what occurs in Victoria, where the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard IS a R.T.O., and their courses are accredited for the issue of a Victorian Boating Licence. What happens is that on completion of the accredited course, students are issued with a certificate, which, when presented at a VicRoads office, entitles them to a Boat Drivers Licence WITHOUT the need to sit the Marine Board exam.
I was not aware of the Qld. situation.
Prior to the introduction of the Victorian Licence, The Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol (of which I was State Senior Officer) conducted NSW Licence Exams every Sunday, and the charge for sitting the exam was income for our Division. (We were a GST registered organisation with Tax-Exempt status.)
Unfortunately, that all came to an end when the Vic Licence was introduced, and directly resulted in the demise of RVCP in Melbourne.
At least I now have time to go boating!
hey alex, i think that kellogs is issuing licences in cornflakes packs judging by the way people seem to drive on the water.
shubeej
Topaz, mate that is terrible news to hear.
Things are tough up this neck of the woods as well, without members willing to put in many hours of fundraising their are a lot more units that are facing major problems.
Its sad to say that this user pays effects training, insurances etc for volunteer groups as well, and with VERY LIMITED support from local/federal governmeant the writing may be on the wall for some other units as well.
Rescue Groups enjoy extremely good support in Ausfish by the members, but generally when the shite hits the fan, many of the irresponsible boaters are to mean spirited to do what you, I, and most in here would consider to be the decent and right thing. Some people have the attitude, "why should we pay, you are only volunteers".
I got sick of begging for money to put fuel in the boats, that is one of the main reasons why I am no longer an on water active member and stick to running radio courses for the public.... the way I see it is if i am not prepared to put in the effort shaking the tins, then I shouldnt get to reap the rewards of being out on the water.
Topaz, enjoy your fishing mate
Cheers Lloyd
Now now John,
you promised not to spill the beans about my professional yet somewhat unorthadox approach to anchoring at slipping sands
as you know I'm always right its the other mad ba#@stards that are in the wrong
thanks for all of your suggestions now I will just have to narrow it down a bit. What a shame that the VMR groups are unable to provide the training.
cheers
Alex
Hi
Do your self a favour and go to Archies. He is one of the funniest blokes I have ever met.
Very comprehensive course and actually fun and interesting to boot.
Cheers
Brad
Steve, Thanks for the info. Some low life P***ks broke in to our C/Van at Dubbo and stole my Wallet which had my paper boat licence in it .
When we got back to Qld and on the way thru Miles I went to the State Govern, offices to get new licences. The office there told us that the new rules were as I explained.
Cheers Steve
Brush
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
