Marine Rescue NSW has taken its boating education program to the water for the first time, with Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage and Hawkesbury now delivering the practical on-water component of the General Boat Licence.
The move means Marine Rescue NSW is, for the first time, able to offer the full General Boat Licence course, theory and practical on-water training, to members of the public.
The first fee-paying students took to the water on Saturday 17 October as part of a 12-month pilot program at the Lemon Tree Passage and Hawkesbury units designed to build on the theory training and examinations already delivered by Marine Rescue NSW across the state
Never before have Marine Rescue NSW units offered the practical on-water component of the General Boat Licence.
Marine Rescue NSW has been delivering theory-based boat licence training as an Authorised Training Provider under the Transport for NSW (Maritime) Boat Training Provider Scheme, with 178 members of the public completing general boat and personal watercraft licence courses last financial year.
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews said the addition of practical training represented an exciting new chapter in the Service’s commitment to boating education and safety.
“The best rescue is the one that never has to happen, and education plays a critical role in making that a reality,” Commissioner Andrews said.
“Marine Rescue NSW has been providing the theory component of boat licence training for many years, and this pilot allows us to take that education a step further.
“For the first time, members of the public can undertake both the theory and practical components of their General Boat Licence through Marine Rescue NSW, learning from volunteers who bring extensive boating, rescue and local waterway experience to the classroom and the helm.
“Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage and Hawkesbury have embraced the opportunity to lead this initiative and we look forward to seeing the benefits of the pilot.”
The practical training will be conducted on board TX 10, a 4.6-metre open-cabin centre-console vessel powered by a 90-horsepower engine and equipped with Raymarine navigation equipment.
The vessel has been repurposed for its new role after many years serving the boating community on the Murray River with Marine Rescue Moama. TX 10 has undergone minor modifications to accommodate up to three General Boat Licence students at a time.
Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage Unit Commander Daryl Jurd said the unit was excited to be at the forefront of the Service’s expansion into practical boating education.
“We’ve offered the theory component for the General Boat Licence at the unit for years. It’s always been wonderful to share our knowledge with the public and assist them in attaining their boat licence,” he said.
“The addition of the on-water component takes us to the next level.
“For the first time, we are able to take students from the theory they have learned in the classroom and put it into real-life practice on the water with highly trained and experienced Marine Rescue NSW volunteers.
“It will further increase our knowledge sharing and help boaters achieve their licence to a high standard and operate as safely as possible on our waterways.”
Students will learn practical skills including navigating narrow channels, anchoring correctly, using a marine radio properly, maintaining navigational situational awareness and recognising and responding appropriately to commercial vessels.
Pre-launch preparation, vessel maintenance, batteries, fuel, navigation lights and safety equipment will also be emphasised, along with the importance of logging on with Marine Rescue NSW.
Unit Commander Jurd said the aim was to give new boaters the knowledge and practical skills to avoid preventable incidents.
“We will be talking a lot about pre-launch preparation, logging on via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or VHF Channel 16, vessel maintenance, and safety equipment,” he said.
“Hopefully it will reduce the calls for help, with our students having all that precautionary advice front of mind.
“We hope they will take those lessons with them every time they go boating and never need to call on Marine Rescue NSW for assistance with a preventable issue.”
People aged 12 and over can participate in the General Boat Licence course.
The theory component will be delivered during the first half of the day, with students undertaking the practical on-water component in the afternoon.
Theory-only courses can accommodate up to 14 students, while the practical component will be limited to three students at a time to provide focused on-water instruction.
The practical component costs $180, while theory-only training costs $145 for participants aged 12 to 15 and $165 for those aged 16 and over.
Courses will generally be offered monthly, with additional courses planned for December.
Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage has already received strong interest, with a large volume of enquiries and community members booking into upcoming courses. Additional courses will be added subject to demand.
Marine Rescue Hawkesbury will also participate in the pilot, conducting courses on board TX 10 at its Mooney Mooney base with the vessel transferable between the two units.
Unit Commander Jurd said the expansion would also provide an important additional fundraising opportunity for the volunteer units.
“As a not-for-profit charity, Marine Rescue NSW receives welcome financial support from the state Government, but we also rely heavily on volunteers’ fundraising to meet our operating costs and support out mission of saving lives on the water.
“This initiative allows us to provide an important service to the community while creating another opportunity to financially support the unit.”
Unit Commander Jurd said the course could also make an ideal gift for someone preparing to take up boating.
“Community feedback has been positive with prospective students excited that the Lemon Tree Passage and Hawkesbury unit’s will now offer both components of the General Boat Licence, taught and instructed by highly skilled and experienced Marine Rescue NSW volunteers,” he said.
“Booking someone into the course could be a wonderful gift, but more importantly, it is a smart move towards learning boating safety from the outset.
“Learn the right way the first time from highly experienced boaters who know the local area.”
