Boat Driving Licence Practical Logbook: Transport For NSW
Boat Driving Licence Practical Logbook: Transport For NSW
Boat Driving Licence Practical Logbook: Transport For NSW
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Licence period How to comply with practical have been covered by initialling each
A general boat driving licence or PWC boating experience requirements element across the three trips.
driving licence is available for 1, 3, 5 or 10 The following options are available as Logbooks are available free of charge
years. Licences are initially issued as paper methods to satisfy the practical boating from any service centre – see ‘Find a
licences, followed by a plastic licence card. experience requirements: Service NSW location’ at service.nsw.gov.
You can also choose to get a digital licence, au – or online from our website
which can be accessed via the Service Option 1 roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au.
NSW app. Practical boating experience can be Only trips carried out within the
gained by completing this boat driving 12 months prior to the issue of a boat
licence practical logbook. You must take
Getting your boat licence driving licence will be recognised for
a minimum of 3 trips with an experienced the purpose of satisfying practical
To obtain a general boat driving licence, skipper in a powerboat or sailing boat using
applicants must: experience requirements.
its engine.
• Provide evidence of practical
An experienced skipper must be aged 18 Option 2
boating experience
or over and: Applicants can also satisfy the practical
• Successfully complete the general boat
• have a current NSW or interstate boat experience requirement by completing
licence knowledge test.
licence, and have held their licence for a practical boating training conducted by
To obtain a PWC driving licence, applicants minimum of 3 consecutive years at any Authorised Training Providers (ATP).
must first obtain a general boat driving stage, or ATPs are independent organisations
licence and then successfully complete the • hold a certificate of competency. approved by Transport for NSW to
PWC licence knowledge test.
The boat must have the required safety deliver courses. Participation in these
On completion of the requirements listed equipment. If you take the trips at night courses satisfies the practical boating
above and proof of identity (see page 5), (between sunset and sunrise), the boat experience requirement of the licence
the relevant boat driving licence will be must have the required lights. application process.
issued to applicants on payment of the
licence fee. Details of each trip must be recorded in the
practical logbook and be verified by the
For more information on how to get experienced skipper. The applicant and the
a boat licence, call 13 77 88 or visit experienced skipper must also confirm that
the licensing section of our website at all elements relating to practical experience
roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au. competencies, as listed in the logbook,
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Recognised qualifications Apply for a licence Combined driver/boat/PWC licence
Some Australian Sailing and Royal Yachting • An applicant must provide acceptable Transport for NSW customers are able
Association qualifications meet the proof of identity documentation to combine their NSW driver licence and
practical experience and test requirements before sitting a test general boat or PWC driving licence onto
for a NSW boat licence. You still need to one card.
• Applicants under 16 years of age must
apply for a licence and pay the fee. To
be accompanied by a parent or legal Eligible customers can opt in only at the
check if your qualification is recognised, call
guardian when sitting the test. Proof of time of their NSW driver licence renewal
Transport for NSW on 13 77 88.
identity documentation for the parent or and their driver licence card will be printed
guardian is also required with a note on the reverse of the card that
Interstate licences
• PWC driving licence applicants must the licence holder also holds a NSW general
The holder of an interstate boat licence may
provide two colour passport acceptable boat driving licence or PWC driving licence.
transfer their licence to a NSW boat driving
photographs with a light background.
licence on presentation of: This option may only be taken up by
PWC licences are plastic photo cards
• The original or certified copy of the the customer at the time of driver
• Applicants must complete a licence
interstate licence, or licence renewal at select registries or
application form, declare any medical
• A letter from the issuing jurisdiction, and service centres.
condition or physical disability which may
• Proof of identity (POI). affect their ability to safely operate a boat, For more information, visit our website at
meet eyesight standards and pay the roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au.
For more information call 13 77 88 or visit
our website roads-waterways.transport. appropriate fees.
nsw.gov.au.
Proof of identity (POI)
To ensure the accuracy of records,
applicants must provide acceptable proof
of identity (POI) when conducting a
business transaction.
POI identification documents must be
original documents or certified copies.
For POI requirements and a full list of
acceptable POI documents, visit roads-
waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au or call
13 77 88.
DECLARATION: I declare I have completed a minimum of 3 trips in a power-driven boat under power, and during these trips I have completed each task in the Boat Driving
Licence Practical Experience Log (Sections 1.1 to 3.4). I understand the nominated experienced skipper(s) may be contacted to verify information given in this log and my
boat driving licence may be cancelled if information provided is found to be incorrect or untrue. Note: Heavy penalties apply for making false entries in this logbook.
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Boat driving licence practical experience log Skipper
Initial
Applicant
Initial
Discuss requirements for safety equipment to be carried and identify what safety equipment is required for the vessel.
Applicant to review safety equipment purpose, location, service requirements and appropriate stowage.
1.3 Plan trip
Applicant to manoeuvre the boat in various conditions and in accordance with key messages of:
• Proper lookout
• Safe speed
• Stay on right
• Awareness of boat impacts (eg wash, noise and discharge).
2.2 Navigation
Skipper describes navigations aids (port and starboard buoys, cardinal buoys, signage), and their purpose.
Applicant shows capacity to determine hazards and boating conditions when navigating the boat while underway.
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Boat driving licence practical experience log Skipper
Initial
Applicant
Initial
Applicant selects safe anchorage site in accordance with prevailing and forecast conditions and in accordance
with legislation.
Anchor is lowered, set and monitored according to prevailing conditions by the applicant.
3.2 Raise alarms
Discuss use of distress signals (waving for assistance, v-sheet, flares, radio, mobile phone, EPIRB).
Discuss actions required to deal with an emergency situation including managing the emergency and
protecting passengers.
Discuss how a boat’s position is identified, recorded and communicated to emergency services along with passenger
details and nature of emergency.
Discuss how distress signals from others are recognised and nature of assistance required is identified.
Discuss capability to safely assist or relay emergency, taking into account own safety and physical proximity to the
emergency incident.
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Guide to assist skipper and applicant undertaking the boating licence practical experience
This guide provides background Safety equipment: • Sound signal (air horn/whistle/bell)
information for each of the sections in the • Lifejackets • Drinking water
practical experience log, pages 7–10. • Bailer/bucket/fire bucket • Tow rope
1.1 Maintain the boat and • Paddles or oars/rowlocks • Isolating switches
safety equipment • Bilge pump • Local emergency procedures book
Ensure your boat is seaworthy and ready • First aid kit • Sounding equipment
for use. That means an overall check to • Fire extinguisher • EPIRB – 406MHz
ensure all fittings and equipment are in • Distress signalling equipment • GPS
place and in good condition. Pay special • Marine radio • Divers flag
attention to safety equipment, as well as • Waterproof floating torch • Suitable clothing
electrical and fuel systems. • Map/charts (paper) • Safety label
• Anchor with chain/line and sea anchor • Emergency steering
Maintenance/service of the motor:
• Lifebuoy • Alternative means of propulsion
• Oil levels and mix
• Compass (magnetic) • Engine kill switch lanyard.
• Belts
• Spark plugs
• Regular running and flushing of motor
including manual starting
• Raw water intake filters
• Fuel lines, fillers and tanks
• Hoses
• Compliance with program maintenance
• Electrical wiring
• Engine kill switch
• Steerage
• Propeller and shaft condition.
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• Harbour master Pre-start check: 2.2 Navigation
• Note in car (if appropriate) • Fuel is connected Observe the system of navigation markers
• Coastal radio stations. • Battery is charged and connected at all times. Know and apply the rules
• Engine kill switch lanyard for preventing collisions at sea, eg keep
Provisions:
• Fumes, petrol to the starboard (right) side of channels,
• Water give way to vessels approaching from the
• Fuel and water leaks
• Food right, maintain a safe speed relevant for
• Open hatches/windows/doors
• Ice the conditions and always keep a proper
• Ventilation
• Sun protection lookout. Be aware of hazards and local
• Sea-cock opening conditions and take these into account
• Wet weather gear
• Secure loose gear when navigating.
• First aid kit
• Turn on marine radio
• Personal medication for all passengers
• Checking bilge water levels Manoeuvring conditions:
• Batteries
• Navigation lights • From or to a ramp, pontoon, wharf,
• Gas mooring or anchorage
• Raising radio aerials.
• Adequate emergency fuel (reserve) and • Confined areas (narrow channels,
a method of fuel transfer. 2.1 Manoeuvre and handle boat marinas, moorings, obstructions)
Activity details to be communicated: Carry out a pre-start check. Always operate • Sea-states: coastal bars, waves, rips, high
your vessel safely. Keep a proper lookout seas, tidal surges, choppy conditions
• Vessel description or photo
at all times and be aware of your impact on • Low speed/high speed
• Number of people in boat
other people and the environment. • Wakes/wash/waves
• Departure/arrival times
• Types of radios • Poor visibility
• Must advise trip conclusion • Effect of wind
• Shore contact details • Large vessels.
• Trailer registration number
• Fuel capacity and usage.
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Collision regulations such as: 2.3 Anchoring 3.1 Use safety equipment
• Navigating in narrow channels Ensure your anchor is appropriate for the Discuss the nature, type, accessibility and
• Giving way to other vessels size of boat, the location and the conditions, serviceability of all safety equipment on
• Overtaking eg some anchors work better in sand than board (see list on page 11). Note that all
• Proper lookout others. Understand the difference in anchor safety equipment should only be used in
• Sound signals, lights and shapes type. Always lower, set and monitor your a manner appropriate to the incident or
anchor to suit the location and conditions. emergency.
• Responsibilities and duty of care
When retrieving your anchor, ensure it is
• Use of buoyage system
stowed securely. 3.2 Raise alarms
• Speed Be ready to identify and react to an
• Recognition of lights and markers Types of anchors: emergency if needed. Ensure all on board
• Rules of road • Danforth are informed of any emergency. Be able
• Recognition of operation areas • Grapnel/reef to use appropriate distress signals at the
• Specific activity rules, eg PWCs, appropriate time.
• Bruce
water skis • Plough 3.3 Respond to
• Safety equipment requirements • Admiralty onboard emergency
• Accident/incident reporting. • Sea anchor Be prepared to inform all people onboard
Marine regulations such as: • Sarca. of necessary actions in order to respond
• Safety regulations to an emergency. Be prepared to identify
Anchoring systems:
and communicate your position should an
• Licensing and registration • Multiple anchors emergency arise. You also need to be able
• Speed limit restrictions • Bow and stern anchors to render assistance to injured people, be
• Distance off requirements • Mooring buoy. able to abandon the boat if required and
• Marine incident reporting communicate with rescuers.
• Carrying capacity
• Alcohol limits
• Age of operators
• Pollution.
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Boating trip checklist
By using this checklist as a guide, you will be able to check what needs to be organised on board before, during and after each trip.
You’re the skipper and your passengers will appreciate knowing you’re concerned about boating safety.
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Disclaimer
While all care is taken in producing this work, no responsibility
is taken or warranty made with respect to the accuracy of any
information, data or representation. This work is not intended
to substitute a reader’s reference to relevant laws and Transport
for NSW expressly disclaims all liability in respect of the
consequences of reliance on the contents of this work.
November 2021
© Transport for New South Wales 21.285