Boating Handbook

The NSW Maritime Boating Handbook provides essential boating information for operating on NSW waters. It is recommended that you read through the literature provided prior to sitting the test.

Click here to find out 'How to get a Boat Licence'

The Boating Handbook is also available in pdf, to download the file click here.

 

Welcome Message from the Minister for Ports and Waterways

 

 

 

Essential Boating Information

Boat Driver's Licensing
	Types of Licence
	How to Obtain a Licence When Applying For A Licence
	Recognition of Licences
	Proof of Identity
	Full POI Documents
	Primary POI Documents
	Secondary POI Documents
Other Licences
	Aquatic Licence When is an Aquatic Licence Required
	Mooring Licences Types of Mooring Licences Private Mooring Licence
	Hire and Drive
Registration of Vessels
	Application for Registration
	Transfer
	Personalised Vessel Registration
	Registration Numbers
	Display of Registration Numbers
	Capacity Stickers
	Australian Builders Plate
	Registration Label
	Fees
	Change of Address
	Recognition of Registration
Boatcode
	Built-in Security for Your Vessel
	Benefits
	Certificate
Boating Offences
	Penalty Notices
	Serious Offences
	Alcohol and Drug Offences
	Naval Vessels
	Other Offences
	PWC Penalties

Preparing for a Safe Boating Trip

Choosing the Right Boat
	What Will the Boat be Used For?
	Where do you Plan to go Boating?
	What Size Boat do you Need?
	What Engine Power does the Boat Need?
	Is the Boat Fitted with Built-in Buoyancy?
	Buying a Second Hand Boat
Maintain Your Vessel
	The Vessel Checklist
	Recommended Spare Parts
	Recommended Tool Kit
	Motor Maintenance
Safety Equipment
	Lifejackets
	Other Essential Equipment Anchors Bilge Pump Bucket Compass & Chart EPIRB Flares Fresh Drinking Water Lifeboat or Liferaft Lifebuoy Marine Radios Oars and/or Paddle “V” Sheet Waterpoof Torch
	Other Recommended Safety Equipment First Aid Kit Tool Kit
	Care of Equipment
Safety Equipment Tables
	Enclosed Waters
	Open Waters
	Exemptions
Before you go
	Weather
	Overloading Overloading/Stability Going Aboard Small Vessels Loading a Boat
	Preparing Children For Boating
	Report Your Trip Communicate Log In

Safe Operation

Boat Handling
	Setting Off
	Slowing Down and Stopping
	Steering
	Tying Up
	Mooring
	Anchoring
	Boating on Inland Waters Wind and Waves Cold Water
	Crossing Ocean Bars
	Handling a Vessel at Sea
	Handling a Vessel in Rough Weather/Hazards
Water Traffic Rules
	Speed
	Avoiding Collisions
	Giving Way
	Sound Signals
	Power Gives Way to Sail
	Power Driven Vessels Meeting Head on
	Power Driven Vessels Crossing
	Action to Avoid Collision
	Vessels Overtaking
	Distance Off (Vessels Other Than PWC)
	Sailing Vessels and Sailboards
	Mooring Areas
	Dredges
	Diving Activities
	Vehicular Ferries
	Commercial Fishing Vessels
	Narrow Channels
	Sydney Harbour
	Priority Over Sail
	Jetcats or Rivercats (on Sydney Harbour)
	Channel Blocked/Closed
	Big Ships and Small Boats
Navigation at Night
	Be Bright - Be Safe at Night
	Go Slow
	Be Seen
	Keep A Lookout
	Know Your Waterway
	Different Lights
	Range of Visibility
	Placement of Lights
	Masthead
	Power Vessels Underway
	Sailing Vessels Underway
	Optional Lights
Personal Watercraft
	PWC Drivers Licence
	Registration
	Ride Smart Behaviour Stickers
	PWC Operating Restrictions
	Keep Your Distance
	Distances to be Kept While Towing
	What is a Designated Surf Zone/Swimming Area?
	Safety Equipment
	Noise Annoys
Towing People
	The Ski/ Towing Boat
	The Driver
	The Observer
	The Towed Person
	Distances Off
	No Towing Areas
	Towing Prohibited
Kite Surfing
	Requirements
	Distance Off
	Lifejacket
	No-Go/Caution Areas
	Safety Tips
	Give Way
Navigation Markers
	Lateral Marks
	Port Hand Markers
	Starboard Hand Markers
	Single Lateral Marks
	Channels & Rivers
	Leads
	Cardinal Marks
	Speed Signs
	No Wash Signs
	Other Buoys and Signs Isolated Danger Special Marks Safe Water Marks Aquamark Minibuoys Submarine Cables Overhead Power Lines

Emergencies. What to do & How to Avoid Them

Emergencies
	Emergency Words
	Search and Rescue
	Fire Petrol/Other Fuel LP gas
	Persons Overboard
	Surviving Hypothermia
	Treating Hypothermia
	Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
	Report Vessel Incidents Requirement Vessel Incident Report Forms Ambulance Service

General Information

Environment
	Sewage Disposal
	Disposal of other waste
	Noise
	Bank Erosion and Wash
	Seagrasses
	Caulerpa Taxifolia
	Protected Aquatic Animals
Language of Boating
Boating Knowledge Quiz
Operation Centres
	Sydney Region
	Hawkesbury River Broken Bay
	North Coast
	Hunter Inland
	South Coast
	Murray Inland
	Information Centres
Enquiries
	Boating Information
	Payments (24 Hours)
	Info Line