Yachting down under - qualifications etc

[jb2006]

Anyone out there know about qualification requirements for yachting in Australia (I have a RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper Cert of Comp). I may be posted to Queensland for a couple of years and would want to race my own yacht (including offshore?).

Also SWMBO is planning to take her motorbike test before we go - she was planning to take the restricted test which would allow her up to 33bhp here - would this restrict her to 250 cc in Australia?

 

[Gypsy]

Licencing for boats, cars and motorcycles is done on a State by State basis but the various licences are recognised across the state boundaries.

I live in NSW but I believe the boating requirements in QLD are similar. The QLD govt web site QLD Gov web site has details of both motor/motorbike and marine licence requirements.

The problem with that site is that it does not address sailing boat requirements. In NSW there is no need for a licence to sail private sailboats even if they have an auxilliary engine, the key is the speed you drive at under power (fast skiff sailors do not need a licence to sail over 10kts). The licence requirement begins when you want to drive a power boat at 10kts or more. I see the QLD requirement is for any boat with a motor greater than 6HP, however if you look at bareboat charter company requirements they do not require any licence proof. You may need to e-mail QLD Maritime for clarification.

As for Motorbikes, the info is there on the site but the terminology of bike "size" are different - QLD refers to 250ml! Is that 250CC, I suppose so.

 

[Cornishman]

As the RYA operates in Australia I am sure that they will be able to tell you, and any RYA certificates of competence you have will be acceptable there.

 

[thurloo]

hi well firstbike will be 250 max, sujest strongly not to ride bike here.. realy not safe to do so .as for sailing we now have you got to have a licence no matter what your in . very simple to get at 150 per test nobody fails , hire boats still same dont need owt , as for your stuf do what you like we are very free still here ...certain things to do for raceing and the likes but mainly what you must have safty wize and clubs will get that all set up for you so come and enjoy the life here im sure you will love our slack lay back style, you can even ask for a radio check, with a welcome on other end , as our guys would like to know where you are , hope this helps dave

 

[zzjfawce]

Second the point about motorbikes. Having worked in hospitals in both the UK and here, it seems subjectively that riders down under come to grief more often and more nastily.

 

[thurloo]

yes great lack of driver ,awareness, cars .trucks .ect , dont look for bikes , and we all go to fast here, so when you get wacked you are in bad way if your still around ,my last eff ort was under a semmi, i was ok slid right under the tray as he came strait across the road he said he did not see me , after he got up ./??? havent been on my bike for 3yrs now , wont again ether ,,,as its getting more crowed on the roads now.thats why i said forget the bike ....dave