@Juggs
Yes, this was all started by Bob (the banner) Carr. After banishing them from Sydney Harbour he then set in train the exhorbinate fee structure that has been perpetuated by political parties of both sides
BOF was the one who joined the RTA and Waterways (sorry Maritime) on the grounds of "efficiencies" to give us the current RMS. Just seems we haven't seen any of these efficiences, haven't seen any increase in service levels AND haven't seen any fee reductions to reflect any of the supposed "savings"
@ Juggs
Yes you are right, it is the pwc part of the licence that is expensive!
Whether you like pwc's or not isn't the point. The issues here are:
1) How can anyone justify the increase in the licence fee for answering an additional 15 questions. That is all you need to do get one (over and above the general licence requirements)
2) The boat and pwc are linked. Just like my motorcycle and car licence are (and I actually had to do an extra separate road test)
There is no additional fee for my motorcycle licence so I shouldn't have to pay ANY additional fee for my combined boat/pwc licence
@Catchin Juck and fishingphase
Be careful what you wish for. This will just introduce MORE regulation - just what we need (not)
It is already been mooted to link car licence points to boat licences (and I assume vice-versa)
The Incredible Hull has already noted a "suggestion" in another forum discussion on this site
"Read this: http://www.maritime....rray_review.pdf Its a 2011 safety review on possible new compliance etc for water\boating safety. Pay attention to "Discussion paper options supported by submission" #27 - keyword is "should" as it is a suggestion."
So, as sure as night follows day (or is it day follows night?) - it is coming
And watch your parking fines for cars - if you don't pay one of them - you will lose your boat licence and boat registration too
Only drama I see is that if and when RMS understand I'm not being charged extra for my bike licence, they will bring it in line with boating licences
As I said, be careful what you wish for. I better shutup!