Boat Driver's Licence in Queensland

The outboard on the Teria was over 6 horsepower, in Queensland that means that you need a boat licence, so did a bit of internet study on the governments website and got a copy  of the Queensland recreational boating and fishing guide to study.

In September, I did my Recreational marine drivers Licence (RMDL) course with Andrew Ryder boat licencing in Townsville.

Theory was in the morning, this covered boating regulations and understanding navigation beacons and lights. After the multiple choice test we had lunch on the way to the boat ramp for the practical. 

The practical began in Ross Creek next to the coast guard station.  Andrew's training boat the Nimrod is a 5.5 m aluminium Surecraft center-console with a 130 horse Evinrude outboard ( It's capable of runs out to the great barrier reef on a good day, 40 km offshore)

Once past the go slow zone, we exited Townsville port at planing speed. Most of the training-testing was in the lee of the Townsville breakwater wall, the Casino and Entertainment center are on the reclaimed land there and its also a cruising yachts anchorage. 

3 of us were on the course that day, the other 2 guys were already experienced fishermen so they did their practical before i had a go (it was the largest most powerful boat i'd ever driven). There was a bit of a chop up outside the break wall so we were really thumping along, if it was your first time in a boat it might be a bit wild. To maintain cruising speed of 18-20 knots we had to be more than 30 m from other craft either anchored or sailing. The Nimrod made little wake either while planning or idling along slowly, it was just the getting on the plane phase that pushed up some wake.

We slowly entered the Townsville breakwater marina and berthed briefly at a floating pontoon. Then it was the high speed man overboard drill, using a bouy for the man overboard. It all went well, though i'm rather looking forward to 3-6 knot speeds in "Teria".! 

The next week i submitted my paper work at Qld Transport department in Garbutt. They took a new photo for a new licence card. A smart car system is being introduced.

A week or so later i had my new vehicle and boat licence card. It's actually a car and motorbike licence with  the boat licence endorsed on the back. The RMDL boat licence doesn't seem to have an expiry date but it is dependent on maintenance of the vehicle licence.

Clockwise : Breakwater Marina, Break wall anchorage, Townsville Port and Ross creek.