New Licence System for MAST Motor Boat Licence


Marine and Safety Tasmania expects all power boat licence applicants to have some practical boating experience and relevant knowledge prior to sitting for the MAST Motor Boat Licence. Prior to sitting the motor boat licence test an applicant is required to provide proof of prior knowledge and experience.

There are two options available for applicants to achieve this:

1. Motor Boat Licence Logbook

The MAST Motor Boat Licence Log is a way of documenting sea-time and relevant experience that is required to be shown when gaining a MAST Motor Boat Licence. It requires potential applicants to achieve 20 hours experience in a registered power boat that is under the control of a licensed operator. The minimum trip time is one hour and can only be recorded when the vessel is under power. Time with the engine stopped such as bottom fishing is not included.

The boat must be fitted with all the required safety gear for the area of operation and the applicant must ensure that he or she familiarises themselves with the relevant competencies that must be achieved and self-declared prior to sitting the motor boat test. These nationally recognised competencies are listed in the back of this logbook.

The competencies are designed to give boaters an understanding of basic skills required to operate a power boat.

The applicant is responsible for completing the logbook and ensuring the details required about the licensed operator and vessel are correctly completed.

Once the applicant is confident they have achieved the competencies, completed the 20 hours sea-time and signed the logbook, the next step is to produce the log at a Service Tasmania Shop or accredited training provider prior to sitting the Motor Boat Licence test.

The log forms part of the Tasmanian Safe Boating Handbook and is available from Service Tasmania.


2. MAST Practical Tuition Course

If an applicant is unable to gain 20 hours experience on a vessel, then they may choose to attend the MAST Practical Tuition for Recreational Trailer Boat Operators course with a MAST accredited training provider. This would involve on-water training in the required competencies. The Course is approximately 4-5 hours in duration.

A licence test will still be required to be completed successfully at either Service Tasmania or with an accredited provider.

Once the training provider is confident the applicant has completed the competencies and other components of the course, a Course Completion Certificate will be forwarded to the participant by MAST. This certificate must be presented to the Service Tasmania Shop prior to sitting their licence test.

If you want to sit the Motor Boat Licence at a later date with one of the providers who are accredited by MAST to conduct the licence test (but not the practical course) then you will also need to present the Course Completion Certificate to them.

MAST highly recommends new applicants without boating experience attend the accredited course. Some of these accredited training providers who are conducting the course are also are accredited examiners of the MAST Motor Boat Licence Test.

How to gain a Motor Boat Licence 1. Obtain a free copy of the "Tasmanian Safe Boating Handbook" from any Service Tasmania shop (see list below for addresses) to study before you sit an examination. 2. Once you have accrued 20 hours in your logbook, or have completed the practical component of a course with a training provider (most providers include the exam in the course) and have an solid knowledge of the contents of the Tasmanian Safe Boating Handbook, then you are ready to sit the exam. 3. You can sit the exam at any Service Tasmania shop. Generally no appointment is necessary but if you are considering sitting a test in the summer months you are required to book a test. This can be done by phoning 1300 135 513. You will require identification, eg birth certificate/extract, driver’s licence, passport or another satisfactory format that has photographic evidence. You should allow around 30 minutes to complete the test. 4. The exam is multiple choice. There are 8 compulsory questions in the test that MUST be answered correctly, and you must get at least 75% of the remaining questions correct to achieve a pass. 5. The exam will be marked immediately after completion and if successful an interim licence will be issued. 6. On successful completion of the exam, a test fee and a licence fee is payable. The total fee charged depends on when the exam is conducted. All licences are valid to 30/06/2012 and pro-rata amounts are payable: 01/07/2009 - 31/12/2009 - $54.07* 01/01/2010 - 30/06/2010 - $47.47* Note - the test and licence fee increase each July in line with the Fee Units Act 1997 7. Allow 4 weeks for your licence to be mailed out. Provisional Licences Candidates must be 17 years of age to sit for a motor boat licence, however a Provisional Licence is available for children aged between 12 and 17 years of age. The Provisional Licence is gained the same way as a full licence as outlined in the steps listed above. The following restrictions apply to provisional licence holders: - must be accompanied by a responsible adult; - must not take charge of a motor boat at night; - must not at any time exceed a speed of 20 knots; - must not tow a skier; - must not tow an aquaplaner at a speed exceeding 10 knots. Frequently Asked Questions - Licence Requirements When do I need a licence? To drive a registered motor boat. This includes all recreational vessels (other than a hire and drive vessel) with an engine 4hp or greater. This includes personal water craft (PWC). How do I get a licence? 1. Obtain the Tasmanian Safe Boating Handbook and study its contents. 2. Accumulate 20 hours sea-time and log this in the Motor Boat Licence Logbook or attend a MAST BoatSafe practical tuition course with an accredited provider (see www.mast.tas.gov.au). You may then sit the test at Service Tasmania or with the provider. If you are new to boating, MAST recommends you attend a BoatSafe course. Do I need a separate licence to operate a PWC? To operate a PWC a valid Motor Boat Licence is required. This licence is also required to be endorsed to allow operation of a PWC. This endorsement is obtained by completing a PWC Practical Course. Will other licences be accepted? MAST will recognise the following to operate a motor boat: · A current licence issued in another state. (This must be transferred to a Tasmanian Motor Boat Licence if a resident of Tasmania). · A valid and applicable Certificate of Competency. What is a provisional licence and how do I get one? This is a licence for people between 12 and 17 years of age. Pre-requisites are the same as those required to sit a full licence. What if my licence has expired? Licences that expire will require a re-sit of a test. You can be fined for being in charge of a motor boat without a licence. What if I want to operate a boat for commercial purposes? A motor boat licence is for recreational boating only. You will need a Certificate of Competency to operate a vessel commercially. Call MAST for details. Are there restrictions on a provisional licence? The following restrictions and conditions apply to provisional licences: · You must be accompanied by a responsible adult. · You must not take charge of a motor boat at night. · You must not at any time exceed a speed of 20 knots. · You must not tow a skier. · You must not tow an aquaplaner at a speed exceeding 10 knots. Handbook Suppliers and Licence Test Centres Service Tasmania For shop hours & locations call 1300 135 513 or click here

The following providers offer tuition and testing of the MAST Motor Boat Licence.

Accredited Training Providers – MAST Motor Boat Licence (Theory only)

Mr Henry Jacobs Tamar Sea Rescue Services P.O Box 46, Exeter, TAS 7275. Phone: (03) 6394 4398

Mr David Piper Sea Rescue Tasmania (Dodges Ferry) Phone: (03) 6265 8030

Mr Mitchell Rowlands Southern Marine Rescue and Training GPO Box 547, Moonah, TAS, 7009

Mr David Turner Central Coast Marine Rescue and Training (Coast Guard) P.O Box 46, Ulverstone, TAS 7315. (Ulverstone Wharf Shed) Phone: 0409 024 005

Mr Greg Marks Forty South Yachting and Boating Centre 39 Shirley Place KINGS MEADOWS TAS 7249 Phone: 0400 409 697

Mr Geoff Marsh Geoff Marsh Consultancies 116 Fort Direction Road South Arm TAS 7022. Phone: (03) 62 39 9358

Mr David Arnott 368 Arthur Highway Sorell TAS 7172. Phone 0419 525 193

Mr Tony Nicholas Derwent Sailing Squadron Marieville Esplanade , Sandy Bay TAS 7005

Mr Ed Vincent Tamar Yacht Club Park Street Launceston TAS 7250 Phone: 6331 8013

Mr Rod Staples Rosny College P.O Box 424, Rosny Park TAS 7018

Accredited Training Providers MAST BoatSafe practical course (including theory)

Mr Fred van Tuil (Statewide) Boatbiz Phone: 0419 144 722

Mr Tony Nicholas Derwent Sailing Squadron Phone: (03) 6223 1977

Mr Mario Sorrentino Strahan Marine Charters Phone: 0418 135 983

Mr Alastair Martin Mission Afloat (Conningham) Phone: (03) 6267 9233

Mr Henry Jacobs Tamar Sea Rescue Services (Tamar) Phone: (03) 6394 4398

Mr David Turner Central Coast Marine Rescue and Training (Coast Guard) - Ulverstone Phone: 0409 024 005

Mr Tony van den Enden Surf Life Saving Tasmania (Personal Water Craft tuition) Phone: (03) 6223 5555 Phone: 1300 766 257

Mr David Arnott 368 Arthur Highway Sorell TAS 7172. Phone 0419 525 193

Andrew Matton-Johnson Austins Ferry Yacht Club Phone: 0427 242 129

Mr Peter Paulsen Bay of Fires Dive Binalong Bay Phone: 0419 372 342

Mr Ed Vincent Tamar Yacht Club Park Street Launceston TAS 7250 Phone: 6331 8013

Malcolm McDougall Lindisfarne Bay Boat Yard Phone: 0408 123 805 Phone: 6243 1321

This page was last updated 19 March 2009