The Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) BoatSafe recreational boat & jet ski licensing program places emphasis on thorough training, accompanied by a separate assessment process.

For details visit https //www.msq.qld.gov.au/Licensing

Through the online courses and thorough on-water instruction, our experienced trainer Jeff will guide you through the process. You will learn the theory such as the rules and regulations on the water, understanding the weather and tides, safety equipment requirements, the buoyage system and emergency management.

We specialise in smaller groups to deliver the training and assessment outcomes required by MSQ. You will be trained on our safe and comfortable vessels in a fun, relaxed and enjoyable environment. We will patiently work with you to develop your skills on the water. When you feel prepared, an assessment on the practical competencies will be conducted.

5 STEPS TO GET A BOAT OR JET SKI LICENCE:

The sequence of these may vary due to limitations such as tide or weather. It is required that the online theory is completed before any other step and the theory assessment is successfully passed before being permitted to do the practical assessment.

1. Enrol in and complete our online boat or jet ski theory training course with no upfront cost. The online courses include quizzes to develop your knowledge and understanding but they are not your course assessment. Once the online course is completed, book the theory assessment date as soon as possible as there is only 3 months permitted to commence the theory assessment.

2. Contact us to arrange the theory assessment, pay the course fee and receive a student information pack. Meet us at the scheduled time and date at our air-conditioned training rooms in the Sunshine Coast or South Burnett (or other suitable location by arrangement). Complete a multiple choice test of your theory knowledge. Using the resources of our classroom, we will retrain you on any topics with incorrect answers. You have two attempts to earn 100% correct answers. If still unsuccessful after two attempts a different exam on a separate day can be arranged after further training for an additional fee.

3. Once successful with the theory assessment, it is time for the on-water practical boat or jet ski training which will typically be in a small group of three to four people (one-on-one for jet ski) to prepare everyone for their practical assessment. You will practice: person overboard drill (don’t worry – nobody has to jump overboard), emergency stop, safely approach a floating object, port and starboard turns both on and off the plane, figure 8 manoeuvre both on and off the plane, berthing and unberthing, general navigation, vessel control, situational awareness and understanding speed and distance-off requirements

4. The practical assessment will need to be completed to the BoatSafe standards to be marked as competent. In some cases, extra training may be required before a person is ready for assessment. The trainer may suggest this, but it will be the student’s decision to move forward to assessment. If a student is deemed “not yet competent” they will be offered the chance to book a date to be reassessed on any competencies marked unsuccessful for an additional fee. This must be done within 3 months.

5. Once a student is marked successful with their practical assessment, they are deemed competent­ to operate a recreational boat - or jet ski if included - and will be issued with a Statement of Competency (SOC). This is not a licence. The SOC must be presented to the Department of Transport and Main Roads within 6 months to be processed into a Recreational Marine Driver Licence (RMDL) or a Personal Water Craft Licence (PWCL).

To obtain a PWCL (Jet Ski Licence) you will need to first hold a RMDL (Boat Licence) or equivalent. The RMDL & PWCL Courses can be combined.

The minimum age to obtain a RMDL or PWC licence is 16 but a person can attend a course after 15½ years of age as the Statement of Competency is valid for 6 months.