NSW Boat Licence Knowledge Test cheat sheet

Under NSW law, the skipper is responsible for the safety of everyone on board and for complying with boating rules, regardless of who owns or is driving the vessel.

Keep to the starboard (right) side of a channel or river where practicable; travel on the right side of a narrow channel to keep passing traffic predictable.

A vessel's wake and wash must not unreasonably affect other vessels, shorelines, swimmers or moored boats; reduce speed in anchorages, moorings and posted no-wash zones.

Load the vessel evenly and keep weight low; passengers and gear should be distributed so the vessel floats level and remains stable in turns.

Before departure, check weather forecasts, fuel levels, battery charge, bungs/plugs, and that all required safety equipment is on board and serviceable.

Sound signals: one short blast = altering to starboard, two short blasts = altering to port, three short blasts = operating astern propulsion.

A vessel at anchor or aground shows an all-round white light at night; a vessel underway under power shows sidelights plus a sternlight (and masthead light if applicable).

Personal watercraft (PWC) must be operated at a safe speed, keep clear of swimmers, and observe distance/no-wake restrictions near shore and other vessels.

Give-way vessel: the vessel that must keep out of the way; stand-on vessel: the vessel that should hold course and speed but may act if collision risk develops.

Two power-driven vessels meeting head-on: both alter course to starboard and pass port-to-port.

Two power-driven vessels crossing: the vessel with the other on its starboard (right) side is the give-way vessel and must keep clear.

Power-driven vessel versus sailing vessel under way: the power-driven vessel normally gives way, unless the sailing vessel is overtaking or the power vessel is constrained.

Overtaking vessel (approaching from more than 22.5 degrees abaft the beam) always keeps clear of the vessel being overtaken, whether sail or power.

Two sailing vessels: the vessel on port tack gives way; if both on the same tack, the windward vessel gives way to the leeward vessel.

In narrow channels, keep as close to the outer limit on your starboard side as is safe and practicable; avoid crossing a channel if it impedes a larger vessel.

Risk of collision: if a bearing to another vessel stays roughly constant and the range decreases, a risk of collision exists and action must be taken early and substantially.

Restricted visibility: proceed at a safe speed, sound appropriate fog signals, and post a proper lookout; radar alone does not replace a lookout.

Lifejackets must be worn by all persons on board in times of heightened risk (e.g. crossing a coastal bar, at night, alone, in bad weather) and must be serviceable and correctly fitted.

Required safety equipment depends on vessel type and operating area (enclosed waters, partially smooth, or open waters); check the applicable schedule before each trip.

Fire extinguishers must be mounted, accessible, in date, and matched to the type of fire risk (fuel, electrical, flammable liquids).

Man overboard: immediately reduce speed, keep the person in sight, throw flotation, manoeuvre back carefully, and recover without putting others at risk.

If a vessel capsizes or swamps, account for all persons, stay with the vessel if it is safe to do so, and use distress signals or a marine radio/VHF to call for help.

Distress signals include MAYDAY (grave and imminent danger) on VHF Ch 16 or 27 MHz Ch 88; PAN PAN for urgency; SECURITE for safety information.

EPIRBs and PLBs should be registered with the authorities and carried where required; test only as permitted and replace batteries before expiry.

Fire on board: stop the vessel if safe, shut off fuel and electrical sources, aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire, and move upwind; abandon only if the fire cannot be controlled.

Cold water immersion and hypothermia: get the person out of the water, remove wet clothing, insulate and warm gradually; seek medical help for severe symptoms.

A vessel with an engine of 4 kW (about 5 hp) or more used on NSW waters generally requires registration; registration numbers must be displayed correctly on the hull.

A person operating a registered recreational vessel with an engine of 4 kW or more must hold the appropriate NSW boat driving licence (general or PWC endorsement).

Recreational fishing and other activities must comply with NSW rules, including bag and size limits and protected species requirements.

Alcohol and drug limits apply on the water; skippers must not operate a vessel while affected, and random testing can occur.

Licences and registrations have renewal periods; operating with an expired registration or licence can attract penalties.

Speed limits apply in specified areas (e.g. 4 knots near shore, moorings, swimmers, and in posted zones); skippers must also maintain a safe speed for conditions.

Marine pollution rules prohibit discharging oil, garbage or sewage into NSW waters in contravention of the regulations; use pump-out facilities where provided.

Report marine incidents involving injury, death, collision or serious damage to the relevant authority as required by NSW law.

Skipper responsibility: the person in command is accountable for vessel safety, crew safety and compliance with NSW boating rules.

Keep right in channels and rivers; pass port-to-port where possible and avoid crossing in front of larger vessels.

Control wash and wake: reduce speed near swimmers, moorings, shorelines and in posted no-wash zones.

Load evenly and keep weight low; check bungs, fuel, battery and weather before departure.

Sound signals: 1 short = starboard, 2 short = port, 3 short = astern.

Night lights: anchor shows all-round white; power vessel underway shows sidelights, sternlight and masthead light where required.

PWC rules: safe speed, keep clear of swimmers, observe distance and no-wake restrictions.

Give-way keeps clear; stand-on holds course and speed but may act if risk develops.

Head-on power vessels: both alter to starboard and pass port-to-port.

Crossing power vessels: vessel with the other on its starboard side gives way.

Power versus sail: power vessel normally gives way unless overtaking or constrained.

Overtaking vessel always keeps clear, regardless of propulsion type.

Two sail vessels: port tack gives way; same tack, windward gives way to leeward.

Narrow channels: keep to starboard outer limit and avoid impeding larger vessels.

Constant bearing and decreasing range indicates risk of collision; act early and substantially.

Restricted visibility: safe speed, fog signals and proper lookout; radar does not replace a lookout.

Lifejackets must be serviceable, correctly fitted and worn when risk is heightened (night, bar crossings, bad weather, alone).

Required equipment varies with vessel type and operating area; check the schedule for enclosed, partially smooth and open waters.

Fire extinguishers must be accessible, in date and suited to the fire risk.

Man overboard: slow down, keep sight, throw flotation, manoeuvre carefully and recover safely.

Capsize or swamp: account for all persons, stay with the vessel if safe and signal for help.

Distress calls: MAYDAY (grave and imminent danger), PAN PAN (urgency), SECURITE (safety) on VHF Ch 16 or 27 MHz Ch 88.

EPIRBs and PLBs must be registered and in date; test only as permitted.

Fire on board: stop if safe, shut off fuel and power, aim at the base, move upwind, abandon only if necessary.

Hypothermia: remove wet clothing, insulate, warm gradually and seek medical help for severe symptoms.

Vessels with engines of 4 kW (about 5 hp) or more generally require registration on NSW waters; display registration numbers correctly.

Operating a registered recreational vessel with an engine of 4 kW or more requires the appropriate NSW boat driving licence; PWC use requires a PWC endorsement.

Recreational fishing must comply with NSW bag, size and protected species rules.

Alcohol and drug limits apply on the water; skippers must not operate while affected and may be tested.

Licences and registrations must be renewed; operating with expired registration or licence can attract penalties.

Speed limits apply in specified areas (e.g. 4 knots near shore, moorings and swimmers) and skippers must also maintain a safe speed for conditions.

Marine pollution rules prohibit discharging oil, garbage or sewage into NSW waters in contravention of the regulations; use pump-out facilities.

Report marine incidents involving injury, death, collision or serious damage to the relevant authority as required by NSW law.