Boat licence course set for February

The course will be held on February 17

A training seminar to help boaters acquire the skills and knowledge they need to stay safer on Central Coast waterways will be held on Saturday, February 17, with only a few spots left.

The certified Marine Rescue Boat Licence Course will be held at the Point Clare Marine Rescue base, conducted by trainer and assessor Ian Leafe and co-ordinator Graham McKean.

Only 10 applicants will be accepted for the five-hour course, which starts at 8.30am.

Marine Rescue Central Coast is a registered training organisation with members professionally trained to national standards for their roles, both on and off the water.

“Courses are designed to teach you the ins and outs of safe boat handling and help build your confidence in local navigation, boating safety and the marine environment,” Leafe said.

A PWC (jet ski) licence course will be available on the same day at a cost of $50.

To obtain a general boat driving licence, you must: participate in the three-hour-15 minutes knowledge component of the course; successfully complete the general boat licence/PWC knowledge test; and use the practical logbook to provide evidence of having completed the necessary practical boating experience.

Participants should study the Roads and Maritime Boating Handbook before attending the course or undertaking the knowledge test.

It is available to download at https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-03/boating-handbook.pdf

Book your place for the course by phoning MRCC on 4337 9600 between 6am and 6pm Monday to Sunday.

The course costs $105, with $10 deposit payable on application.

Another boat licence course will be held in May, while a Marine Rescue volunteer information evening is scheduled for February 8 and a radio training course will be conducted on March 21.

For more information email pr.centralcoast@marinerescuensw.com.au