Shake-up planned for boating licences

[jaybee]

Queenslanders wanting a boat licence may soon have to undertake more training to get it.

Queensland Transport is proposing a restructure of the boat licensing process to include more boat skills development before tests are taken.

Boaties currently only need to pass a written exam to get their licence.

Queensland Transport Maritime Safety general manager, captain John Watkinson, says the system will mean those taking to the water will be more skilled.

"We're looking at putting this assessment framework into place that as I said gives them some instruction, puts them through a few paces, gets them to drive the boat in front of a qualified assessor," he said.

"Also we're looking at having a proper scheme for the assessor or the training provider as well."

Comments on the new scheme close on April 14.

Posted: Wed, 5 Mar 2003 12:39 AEST

None too soon i reckon
cheers

[krazyfisher]

I think this is a good idea but I think in qld you have to do a test in your boat and a written exam to get a licence now or atleast I had to? I thought they were going to change it to a course of 2 days or something anyhow anything that teaches us more is a good thing

[Ron_Collins]

Hi all


This is a good thing. It not only ensures new boaties going for their licence get proper training before they qualify, but those providing the training also meet certain standards.

I'm sure we've all heard of the boat licence for a slab or two deals. Well, this eliminates that and only puts properly trained and tested new boaties on the water. Good work Captain John Watkinson and crew. Ron Collins.

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

couldn't agree more gentleman.

My practical boat test was done in the Logan River off the Skinners Rd boat ramp. For those that don't know that's a good 10km from the nearest beacon with little boat traffic. Sort of like having your car licence tested in the carpark at K-Mart on a public holiday.

And yes I'm a hypocrite because I certainly didn't voice any concern.

It did concern me though to see a bloke pass after gettin oral questions wrong on speed & distance, being refered back to the handbook (which he had to borrow from a mate) then being asked the question again. He then was given 3 attempts to "rescue" a float in the prac test using my 12ft tinnie with a 15hp merc with all controls (fwd, reverse kill etc) on the throttle of the tiller arm) - a simpler rig does not exist. He killed the float first run, missed it by 5m on the second but succeeded on the third attempt.

I mentioned this to the testing officer politely (he had yet to grant my licence) he said he was given consideration as it was not his rig.

I think a licence of any form should mean you are reasonably capable of operating any device within the constraints of that licence SAFELY.

I'd like to see boat tests done in areas with beacons & at least the chance of some boat traffic. I would also be for an additional licence specification to skipper a craft in excess of say 30ft with a large hp rating.

cheers,
chris

[jaybee]

My brother bought his first boat 18 ft betram, then the first 25 ft nova cabin to hit au..within two months of each other, he didnt have a licence and every time we used it (both boats) until he gained his licence someone from McLaren Marine then on the spit was with us on either boat.I was too young to drive back then but i was determined to aquire a licence.

I'm sure we've all heard of the boat licence for a slab or two deals

Bro was even offered a licence with the purchase of the nova, back then $25k a lot of money. Eventually i gained my licence, through both written and practial. I beleive i am as aware on the water as I am on the road, but it seems there are a lot of people out there who have no care or concern for rules or safety of themselves or others, is it me or am i over zealous. cheers
joe.

[Lachie1]

When i got my licence we did a figure of 8 and rescued a float and did the questionaire. This took a full day with a lot of theory and was worth the money. Nothing i didn't allready know but i wont forget it in a hurry. You can go down to a place on the gold coast and it takes 30 mins tops. Think that the changes are necercarry as there is nothing like experience.

As with the boat licence for a carton or two, 2 mates got their licence of a fella in his pajamas in the Charleville Pub 8) for $30 each.

Cheers, Lachie

[Kerry]

This plan has been in the churner for probably a few years, it was going to start this date then that date now looks like another date.

There's licence providors (one I'm aware of anyway) already providing the format of this assessment.

Cheers, Kerry.

[peterbo3]

Evening All,
In 1984 I attended a two week course at the old South Brisbane TAFE on theory (ONLY!) in preparation for a Masters Grade 4 (Equivalent) Exam. I passed the exam but still had to get in the seatime for a ticket.
What happens today and what is proposed is a load of B/S! You get a restricted motorbike licence unless you complete an approved advanced riding course. Similar deal should apply to boats. Restrictions on where you can take your boat should apply for set periods of time until you hopefully can handle the rig. It is totally impractical to force people into buying the equivalent of a 250cc motorbike until they are able to handle their boat but some controls need to be applied. Everyone has seen it!!!! Some clown out the front of Moreton in a floating disaster. No VHF, life jackets as seat cushions, engine misfiring, no idea where he is (Mate, I just follow the charter boat out). You should not be able to buy an offshore rig the day you get your ticket then blast out across South Passage the next day. There needs to be a practical offshore training program for those who want to go there. New boaties could be possibly restricted to partially smooth waters for a period of time. Knowing which side to steer when approaching a channel marker or cardinal point buoy is, in my opinion, not enough. What do you think?

[jamesmcjim]

hi all.
yes it would be good but i dont know .
may be yust more money for some. go for a drive down the freeway and take note . a lot seem to have trouble with road rules.so what hope is there??

[rick k]

Chris,

You've been watching me crabbing. When I drive, my deckie gets his arms stretched when I leave the boat in reverse that little bit too long. When he drives, the Yanks watch us with their satellites. They are trying to get their missile targetting as good as his; runs the float down every time.........

I agree that a theory only test is no good. And maybe they need a smooth water and offshore license. Same cost for each, just different training.

Oh, yeah, what is the difference between an isolated danger mark and a cross channel mark??? Kerry?

[rick k]

Who changed my "?" into a ???

[Kerry]

.... Oh, yeah, what is the difference between an isolated danger mark and a cross channel mark??? Kerry?

somebody trying to tell me something here but I'll have a go

"Isolated danger mark" a mark highlighting a "dangerous isolation" or good water all around but don't come too close.

"Cross channel mark" you tell me, does the IALA system standard support crossing marks? but I suppose one could use the Special marks (the yellow ones) in conjunction with some of the lateral marks ??

Cheers, Kerry.

[michael_Brewer]

Hey there.
I'm fifteen years old with a stessl edgetracker 3.7 vagabond. I'm not old enough to apply for a licence yet so I have to take licenced friends or family when I go out.

Although I am not old enough to get my license I am very interested in doing a full boating course, which teaches you about beacons, cardinals, rules of the water etc. the reason I brought up the subject is that I have been told by numerous people that you can actually do the licensing test at 15 and half but can't collect the license until you turn 16.

I was wondering if anyone could please clear this up for me.


thank you
Michael Brewer