Boating in Australia

Boat Safety

In Queensland all boats must carry an EPIRB if more than two nautical miles from land, and from 1 November 2008, it must be a 406 MHz digital EPIRB.

Personal locator beacons are not considered a substitute for EPIRBs if you are required to carry an EPIRB as part of your safety equipment.

Source: www.msq.qld.gov.au/.../Epirbs/

Boat Licences in Australia

Queensland

A licence is required to operate any recreational boat which is powered by a motor of more than 4.5kW (over 6HP), is capable of speeds in excess of 10 knots and has a planing or non-displacement hull.

From 1 January 2006 to operate a personal watercraft (PWC), or jet ski, you must hold a PWC licence.



You must hold a current and valid marine licence, before being able to get a PWC licence.



Source: www.msq.qld.gov.au/.../pwc_licence

Links

• Brisbane Bayside Boat Licensing - Boat Licensing in Cleveland & Redland Bay areas
• www.msq.qld.gov.au/.../rec_licence - Recreational Boat Licence
  
• www.msq.qld.gov.au/.../Information_for_new_boat_owners - I'm buying a new boat - what do I need to know?
  

Victoria

Recreational boat operators under the age of 21 years and all operators of Personal Water Craft (PWC's), more commonly known as Jet Ski's, require a licence.

Links

• www.biavic.com.au/sections/main/display.asp?pid=15
  

NSW

Boat Licensing in NSW.

Links

WA

The Recreational Skipper's Ticket in WA (RST)

As of 1 April 2008, every skipper of a registrable, recreational vessel, powered by a motor greater than 4.5kwp (6hp) (RST vessel) will be required to hold a Recreational Skipper�s Ticket
The RST is a certificate of competency demonstrating the minimum knowledge and practical skills needed to operate a boat safely on the water. It is based on a set of marine safety competencies that have been agreed nationally.

Interstate or overseas ticket valid for three months
If you hold a valid/current interstate or foreign skipper's ticket, recognised by the Department and listed in the skills recognition section of this website and you enter Western Australia, as a visitor or with the intention of permanently residing in the State, it will be taken that you hold a recreational skipper's ticket until three months have elapsed since you entered the State.
After that period you must apply for an RST, under the Skills Recognition scheme, if you wish to continue operating an RST vessel in this State.




Links

• www.dpi.wa.gov.au/imarine/19098.asp
  
• List of WA recognised Overseas Marine qualifications
  

Marine Radio Licence in Australia

A quote from: Australian Communication and Media Authority

Operators Not Requiring Qualifications

While a marine radio certificate of proficiency is not required to operate ship stations only employing 27 MHz marine radio equipment, it is recommended that operators of such stations obtain at least the MROVCP qualification, in order that they may use their radios competently in emergencies.

Overseas Operators

Persons currently holding overseas qualifications with a recognised Australian equivalent are not required to hold an Australian certificate of proficiency to legally operate a maritime ship station. Persons holding overseas qualifications should submit them, for assessment, to Licence, Allocations & Information. Further information can be obtained by contacting Licence, Allocations & Information.

I also found the following quote at: www.boatweb.com.au

Who Needs a Marine Radio Licence ?

Well the short answer is anyone who is using a marine radio. However a licence is not required by law to operate a 27 Mhz radio.

• Office of Maritime Communications - For all marine radio licence information
• Marine Radio Handbook - This is a PDF file about 1.4Mb
A marine radio is specifically designed for use in a water environment. It allows contact with shore based stations and enables users to monitor distress frequencies

Three types of marine radio are in normal use


• 27MHz marine - These are relatively popular for use on recreational boats in protected and semi-protected waters, or within the range of a coast guard station.
• VHF marine - these are also short-range but offer greater range and performance than the 27MHz radio
• MF/HF marine - these radios radios provide a medium to long range communications and are highly recommended where operating in unprotected waters up to 200 miles offshore

New South Wales
If you operate Marine VHF Radio equipment on your vessel then you must be in possession of a Certificate of Proficiency permitting you to operate such equipment.


Queensland:
• 27MHz are relatively cheap transceivers available for general use, however, they do not provide the coverage of a VHF radio.
• VHF emergency channels are monitored 24 hours a day. All commercial ships operating at sea carry, and monitor, VHF distress frequencies with the possibility of lending assistance. Operators must be licensed with the Australian Communications and Media Authority. VHF range can be significantly increased when using a repeater channel.
• HF radios have a greater communication range if travelling long distances from shore. Queensland HF services cover coastal waters to a minimum of 200 nautical miles seaward from sites located at Cairns (call sign: coast radio Cairns) and Gladstone (call sign: coast radio Gladstone).
• Marine Safety Queensland

South Australia:
• No operator's licence is required to use a 27 MHz Marine radio.
• An operator's licence is required to use a VHF Marine radio.
• HF Marine radios require licenses for both the equipment and the operator.
• www.transport.sa.gov.au/.../marine_radio.asp

Tide Times

• NineMSN - Tidal Times Charts for all States

Links

• Safe Boating www.safeboating.org.au
• www.boatweb.com.au