Do you really need a Boat License?
For those with little experience at being at the controls of a luxury bareboat cruiser or the helm of a houseboat the question most often pondered is “do I really need a boat license to drive the vessel?”
Of course the technical answer to this question is no.
The reason for this is that these boats are unable to do more than 10 knots.
Still, my personal opinion is that anybody considering the use of a houseboat or a bareboat cruiser should give some serious thought to obtaining their boat license.
The reason for this is simple. Not only will it add to your enjoyment, it will also take a bit of the pressure off and save you from having to wear a green sock on your right foot and a red one on your left.
NSW Waterways have recently upgraded the boat license testing procedure and have introduced an interim step in the process by including a compulsory Boating Safety Course see https://online.maritime.nsw.gov.au/OnlineBSC/ . The course will cost you $10 and anything that improves your knowledge about safety on the water should be viewed as a good thing.
Many years ago when I obtained my boat license I attended a Basic Seamanship Course that was run by the local division of the Volunteer Coast Guard. It was a five or six week course that ended with a Boat License and Basic Seamanship exam. Boating Safety courses are still conducted by the NSW Maratime and you may be able to find one close by, see; http://www.waterways.nsw.gov.au/seminars.html .
I’ve always found it strange that I could’ve grown up in outback Australia never ever laying eyes on the ocean before (let alone being in the drivers seat of an actual vessel) and as long as I passed a test I would have a boat license.
But fair enough that’s the way it goes and it isn’t cost effective to have a Waterways person tag along with you on a boat to make sure you have some practical knowledge.
Once you have completed the Boating Safety Course you then have to pass a test comprising of 40 questions, 15 of which are compulsory and must be answered correctly. Generally speaking these questions tend to concern the common “rules of the road” for boating.
The “Boating Handbook” is the Waterways bible when it comes to explaining all the necessary background knowledge an individual should have to obtain a boat license. It can be viewed at http://www.waterways.nsw.gov.au/sbh.html .
If you would like some practice answering some likely test questions or even review how much you have actually forgotten since obtaining a license all those years ago you can try your luck at the following link; http://www.waterways.nsw.gov.au/boattest.html
So how much will a license cost you? Well as I said before it’s $10 for the online Boating Safety Course. The test fee is presently set at $27. A one year license will set you back $41 whilst a three year license costs $97.
I personally believe it’s a worthwhile investment and can add to your overall fishing holiday experience.
The bottom line is that I can’t see any downside at all so if you haven’t got your license why not give it a go?
Sea you later,
Skipper Meggs