Boat Licence Course

The fresh sea breeze, the cool spray, the need for skis or the thrill of a catch... whatever calls you out onto the water, this course will get you there.

Online Video Theory Course

Short weekend prac in Redcliffe

Small, supportive classes

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Quick Facts

  • Cost $320 includes first practical assessment fee
  • Reassessment fee $110 includes training and assessment
  • Online theory course approx 4.5hrs at home
  • Theory exam on the day of the on-water training – max 45mins
  • Practical on-water training – approx 1hr
  • Practical on-water assessment – approx 0.5hr

We encourage you to practice driving a boat with a licenced skipper before arriving at a BoatSafe course – you may not be competent in driving the boat in just one day.

If you don’t have access to a boat and licenced skipper please contact us to discuss additional training sessions.

This video shows the tasks you are required to be competent in.

 

Course Overview

Quite simply, this is the course you need to acquire your Queensland Recreational Marine Driver’s Licence (Boat Licence) to master a recreational power boat with a motor of  6HP or greater.

The boat licence course incorporates

  • online video theory learning and an online practice quiz,
  • a final multiple choice theory assessment (50 questions)
  • practical training and assessment on the boat

You must successfully complete all tasks on the boat and pass the theory exam at 100% to be deemed competent. But don’t panic, our skilled instructors are here to support you in developing the required competence levels to pass your assessments.

Course content

Here’s a brief overview of what you’ll learn in the power boat licence course:

  1. Planning your trip
  2. Understanding marine safety, legal obligations and seaworthiness
  3. Main parts of a small recreational boat
  4. Boat maintenance
  5. Safety equipment and pre launch checks
  6. GPS systems and determining position
  7. Applying COLREGS system of navigation to prevent collision at sea
  8. Weather and tides
  9. Responding to marine emergencies and incidents

In addition, the practical component on our vessel includes explanation, demonstration, practice and assessment of the following activities:

  1. Manoeuvres at slow speed – 6 knots or less, Port and Starboard turns and figure 8
  2. Manoeuvres at speed (on the plane) – Port and Starboard turns and figure 8
  3. Man overboard drill
  4. Safely approach a floating object
  5. Emergency stop
  6. Berthing and unberthing
  7. General navigation and control of the boat

When/How do I get my boat licence?

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 Department of Transport and Main Roads Customer Service Centre) within 6 months of issue at which time you will pay further govt. charges equal to approx. $114.90 per licence as at 01 July 2020.

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.

Mates rates!

$10 off per person for group of 3 people

Course FAQs

Do you run courses mid-week?
Yes! Check out the booking calendar to see if there is a scheduled mid-week that’s suitable to you. Otherwise, contact us.
What is the minimum age to attend this course and get your boat licence?
In Queensland, you need to be 16 year of age or over to get a Marine Driver’s Licence, however… you can attend the course and be issued a Statement of Competency once you turn 15 and a half, but you will need to wait until your 16th birthday to exchange it for a licence. Make sense?
What if I fail the course?
To be determined competent you must first pass the theory exam at 100% with only 1 additional attempt at any questions you get wrong before you can move on to the practical training and assessment. If you do not you will need to review your theory course and attend another assessment session. You need to know the rules of the water just like the road right?

Once we get on the water your instructor will demonstrate each task you are required to perform on your practical assessment and hand the helm to you to practice and develop your confidence until both you and your instructor feel you are ready to undertake your assessment. We expect this would take between 45 minutes and 1 hour for each person.

The on water-practical assessment is a formal assessment where you must demonstrate your competence to drive a boat without any assistance from your instructor. You are provided with one practical assessment attempt on the day. If you are judged to be not competent in any of the tasks you will be required to come back for more training and another assessment on the elements that you were not competent in.

Will the course go ahead in bad weather?
The course will go ahead if it’s safe to do so. Rain doesn’t usually impact safety (maybe enjoyment), but winds do. We keep a close eye on the Moreton Bay weather forecast  and make the call by 7am on the day, based on weather predictions. If the weather turns bad while out on the vessel and safety is at risk, the session will be cut short. In any case, we will reschedule all participants at no further cost to you.
What is your refund policy?
We offer no-questions-asked refunds for cancellations made at least 2 days (48 hours) before the course.