IRB training

Before you can commence training for your Silver Medallion (IRB Driver) award, you need to obtain your NSW Maritime Authority licence. From time to time we schedule a testing session for people who want to become an IRB Driver. The patrols are all short of drivers and crew, and so all are encouraged to do the test. The assistance of patrol captains in getting members on board with this initiative would be appreciated.

Candidates will need to study the Boating Handbook of the NSW Maritime, and if you need to get hold of a copy you can either –

·         get it direct form NSW Maritime (tel 13 12 36; enquiries@maritime.nsw.gov.au, the head offices is at James Craig Road, Rozelle Bay Tel: 02 9563 8511; open Mon – Friday 8.30 am - 4.30pm), or

·         ask IRB captain Clive Thompson (see below) to supply you with a copy, or

·         go straight to the material on http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/onwater.html.

The sections most relevant to the IRB test are “Safety Equipment”, “Water Traffic Rules” and “Navigation Markers”, but you should read the lot anyway. You can test your knowledge with an online quiz at http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/boattest.html.

If you want to get the full unrestricted licence, including the PWC (Jetski) licence and pay for it yourself, then contact NSW Maritime direct and do the test at their offices anytime or when they put on a dedicated Northern Beaches training and testing session (watch the Manly Daily for news in this regard). 

Although you must be seventeen before you can finally get your IRB drivers certificate and fifteen before you get your IRB crew certificate, you can get a full Maritime Authority Licence at age sixteen and a restricted one at age twelve. And of course you can log your training hours before you turn seventeen and fifteen respectively. Please let IRB Captain Clive Thompson (cthompson@cosolve.com.au) know if you would like to become an IRB Driver.