HOW TO OBTAIN A NSW BOAT OR PWC LICENCE
If you are going to be driving a boat that will travel at 10 knots (18kms/hr) or more then you will need to get a boat licence. The process to obtaining a boat or PWC is similar to obtaining a drivers licence.
Step one - Study the NSW Maritime Boating Handbook and Practical Logbook
You can pick one up at your nearest NSW Maritime office, or you can download fully PDF versions from the NSW Maritime website.The NSW Maritime Boating Handbook provides boating information for operating a vessel for recreational purposes on NSW waters. We recommend all students read the contents of the Boating Handbook and the Boating Licence Practical Logobook prior to completing the boating safety course and practical experience requirements. The NSW Maritime online boating quiz is also a great way to study the rules prior to attending the College course.
Step two - Sign up for a boat or PWC Licence course or boat training
The College offers a range of training options to choose from:
- Boat Seminar,Test & Practical Boat Handling all-in-one day - book online,select your preferred location and then click the "book this course" link. (Complies with the practical experience requirements)
- Two-in-One Day - Boat & PWC Seminar & Test combined - book online, select your preferred location and then click the "book this course" link.
- PWC Seminar & Test only - book online - select your preferred location and then click the "book this course" link. (Available to general boat licence holders only)
- Boat & PWC Seminar & Test only - book online, select your preferred location and then click the "book this course" link.
- Practical only - this course offers the same practical as in the all-in-one day course and complies with the practical experience requirements. Book online, select your preferred location and then click the "book this course" link.
- Enhanced boat handling, theory plus more practical - tailored to suit your training needs. Contact the College direct on 1300 723 112.
- On your boat, customised private lessons - tailored to suit your training needs. Contact the College direct on 1300 723 112.
Step three - Complying with practical boating experience requirements
Commencing 1 June 2009 it will be a requirement for NSW General Boat Licence applicants (this does not apply to PWC Licence applicants) to undergo practical on water training with either a Recognised Training Provider, such as the NSW Boating College, or by keeping log book entries from training with an experienced Skipper.
Our Boat Handling All In One Day and Practical Only courses all comply with the NSW Maritime practical boating experience requirements. An alternative, is to complete the NSW Maritime Practical Logbook by recording logbook entries of on water experience by an experienced Skipper. An experienced Skipper is one who has held a boat licence for at least three years. If you select the logbook option,you are required to complete a minimum of 3 trips.
Applicants wishing to upgrade their existing boat licence to a PWC licence are not required to provide evidence of practical experience and need only comply with PWC Licence Boating Safety Course and PWC licence test requirements.
Step four - Take the licensing test
Once you have completed the course, you then sit the NSW Maritime boat licence test, comprising 40 multiple choice questions. The PWC Licence test comprises 15 multiple choice questions. To obtain a General or Young Adult PWC licence you need to have first obtained your General or Young Adult Power Boat Licence.
On successful completion of the Boat or PWC licence test students will receive a Course Completion Certificate to present to NSW Maritime, either in person or by mail. No further testing is required.This is NOT your licence. It is the slip that certifies your completion of the theory/practical and test.
Step five - Obtaining your licence
You will need to take the Certificate of Satisfactory Course Completion, ID (proof of identification) and two passport photos for (PWC Licence Applicants Only), as well as evidence (such as the College Certificate of Attainment or Practical Logbook entries) of complying with practical experience requirements to your nearest Maritime Service Centre to obtain your licence.
Evidence of complying with practical boating experience requirements must be provided before NSW Maritime will issue a boat licence.
For more information and fees visit the NSW Maritime web site.
