Other Licences
Aquatic licences
An aquatic licence is required by any person or organisation conducting, promoting or organising a race, competition or exhibition or any other activity which restricts the availability of navigable waters for normal use by the public.
Penalties apply for conducting such an event / activity without an aquatic licence.
Applications for aquatic licences, supporting documentation and an appropriate fee must be submitted to Maritime a minimum of four weeks prior to commencement of the event/ activity, otherwise the application may be refused or a late fee payable.
If the aquatic licence requires the exclusive use of an area of water then a ‘special event’ may have to be declared, and Maritime may require a fee for placing a required notice in the local newspaper.
Mooring licences
A mooring is used to secure a vessel in a particular location. There are various types of moorings including:
- Private – Licence permits you to moor your vessel on navigable waters subject to a range of conditions and is renewable annually.
- Commercial – Licence issued to a company or other legal business entity trading to provide marine type services to the boating public subject to a range of conditions.
- Emergency – Used by Maritime or Water Police to store vessels in emergency situations.
- Courtesy – Freely available for use by the general boating public on a 24 hour basis.
Private mooring licences, subject to availability, allow a vessel to be secured to a mooring in a particular location. Private mooring licences are only issued with respect to a specific vessel and to individuals.
The individual must:
- Nominate a vessel of at least 5.2 metres registered in their name; and
- Be the sole owner or equal majority shareholder of the vessel.
In high demand areas where mooring sites are not readily available, applicants will be placed on a priority waiting list in strict order of application date. When a mooring site becomes available, the person on top of the priority list will be offered the site. An annual mooring fee is payable and is based on the mooring location and length of vessel.
Prior to changing a vessel associated with a mooring licence, the licensee must notify Maritime in writing and pay a change of vessel fee.
Hire and drive licences
This information is provided for anyone wishing to become a ‘hire and drive’ licensee and anyone wishing to hire a vessel.
A person conducting a hire business must be licensed by Maritime.
The term ‘hire and drive’ applies to a vessel that is made available to the public for hire for recreational use and is:
- A powered vessel less than 7.5m in length, including ‘tinnies’ and PWC; or
- A passive (unpowered) vessel less than 10m in length, such as a rowboat, canoe, kayak, pedalcraft, inflatable, sailboard, catamaran or sailing vessel.
Licensing of these businesses is required to ensure that hire vessels are of a suitable standard and that hire operators follow appropriate and consistent procedures before hiring a vessel to a member of the public.
Hire and drive licensees are required to display their licence in a prominent place at the hire premises and all hire vessels must display a unique identifying number and details of the licensee, such as the company logo.
If you suspect a hire operator is not licensed, or you have a complaint regarding a hire and drive operator, call Maritime’s Infoline on 13 12 56.
People hiring a hire and drive vessel must observe the marine regulations and safety requirements at all times. In particular, hirers must comply with lifejacket carrying and wearing requirements.
For further information visit the hire and drive section of www.maritime.nsw.gov.au.