Practical skills tested on water for NSW licence

2:40 AM Wed 14 Jan 2009 GMT

'NSW Boaties will have to demonstrate on water skills, following a spate of incidents on Sydney Harbour.

(Rolex Sydney to Hobart 2008)' Andrea Francolini &copy

There will be a new, practical 'on water' component added to the NSW boat licencing system.

Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi has announced the initiative following a series of fatal accidents over the past two years on Sydney Harbour.

Mr Tripodi said anyone seeking a licence will have to complete a Boating Licence Practical Logbook under the guidance of an experienced skipper.

"These changes are the result of overwhelming feedback from the boating community," he said.

"When you apply for a driver's licence you have to prove you have the practical skills to drive a motor vehicle. The same principle should apply for boating."

The Minister said the Boating Logbook was part of a more rigorous approach to boat licence testing to ensure people boating on State waters have the best possible boating safety knowledge.

"Obtaining a General Boat Licence now involves three steps: the new practical component, completion of the Boating Safety Course, either on-line, by CD or at a training course and a theory test undertaken at a NSW Maritime office."

The logbook will be available at all NSW Maritime service centres, RTA Motor Registries, and Government Access Centres. It can also be downloaded from Maritime's website ready for the introduction of the new licensing requirements on 1 June 2009.

by MINISTER FOR PORTS AND WATERWAYS

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Practical skills tested on water for NSW licence

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