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Boat Driving with MUUCOur boats are expensive and our members are priceless, so to protectthem both we must have a boat driving and towing regulations. Wecan't just let anybody tow or drive!

But ANYONE can become a boat driver. All you have to do is have aboat licence, finish a boat driving course, learn a few skills and get abit of experience under your belt.

Driving boats is fun and exciting but it can be also be very dangerous.So its essential that you obtain the necessary qualifications,experience and know what you're doing. As a boat driver you areresponsible for the boat, for the safety of those on board and othersout on the water. Obtaining adequate driving skills is vital, as the lives

of other are in your hands. To be an effective boat driver you mustknow yourself, your abilities and your limitations.

Boat drivers are an essential part of our club. Without them thered beno boat diving. If you are interested its easy just follow these threesimple steps.

1st Step - Getting your licence and/or doing an ABC BoatDriving CourseIf you choose to go with ABC Driving Course you will get your icence

during the course.

However, if you are only after a licence you can get one fromVicRoads. The test is similar to the theory test for a car licence. Youcan pick up a copy of the Boating rules from Vic Roads, or get it offtheir web site When you are ready to take the test make a bookingon 131171. The test costs about $20 and a licence is $25 for one year,or $75 for 3 years.

If you would like to complete a course we can organise one for you

through the Australian Boating College. It is a Nationally RecognisedLicence Course that builds boating knowledge, skills and confidence.It is designed as a comprehensive boating course.

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As part of the course, participants will:Practice drivingBecome familiar with low and high speed manoeuvringGeneral boat handling

Man overboard drillsDocking and mooringIt also covers:Victorian Marine RegulationsCollision Avoidance RulesSafety Equipment RegulationsDuty of Care and how it affects you as SkipperNavigation & Chart Reading, Compass + GPSAll aspects of AnchoringTrip PlanningHandling EmergenciesWeather and TidesEngine and Vessel MaintenanceMarine Radio UsageBasic KnotsThis course is ideal for people new to boating and also for existingboaties who wish to upgrade their navigational skills and knowledge ofcurrent regulations.

The cost is $150 (minus 10% for group bookings). As boat drivers arean essential part of the club and can mean the difference btw diving

and not diving MUUC will subsidise your course. We are prepared tocover half the cost of the course. In this way both you and other MUUCmembers will benefit.

2nd Step - Getting experience and confidenceOnce you have a licence, to gain confidence and experience as adiver you must actually drive the boats. No course will beat goodold fashioned sea time. You can now drive under supervision, and ofthe club drivers will be happy to show you how things are done andlet you practise. It is in affect an informal apprentice driver scheme,

where you learn from others more experienced around you. Themore hours of driving you get under your belt in various conditionsthe better driver you will become. So practice, practice, practice!

3rd Step Getting on the MUUC driving listWell, this part is easy. If you feel confident that you can handle theboat on a trip by yourself and have mastered all skills, just apply tothe committee to be put on the list. We will consider yourapplication during a committee meeting. These are held on the firstThu of every month at 6pm at the Beurapairs Center.

Before you will be approved to drive by yourself you must haveadequate experience and prove that you are capable and competent

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in all the skills, as follows:* launching and retrieving the boat* anchor and moor the boat* locating and navigating to and from dive site* manoeuvring at slow speed, especially around piers

* proficient use of GPS and depth sounder* basic radio use* changing fuel to auxiliary tanks* man overboard skills or retrieving divers from the water* ability to put the O2 kit together (an oxygen provider and 1st aidcourses are recommended for boat drivers)* perform a boat orientation talk for new divers (i.e. safetyequipment, stowing gear, etc)* understanding of their own abilities and limitations - good

judgement and general good character* sound boating etiquette, i.e. ability to deal with chartersAt least two current boat drivers must vouch for your experienceand ability to perform the above skills adequately. Keeping a drivinglog can help you keep track of your experience and act as proof forthe committee. If you have a current 1st Aid and/or Oxygen Providercourse this will also be in your favour.If you have any questions on how to become a boat driver, or wouldlike to attend a course please email Liz one.r.rogers@gmail.com

Boat TowingTo become a tower you need to have a car that is capable of towingthe boat safely to the destination. You also need towing skills.You will need to apply to the committee to become a tower and willhave to demonstrate proficiency at the following skills:* ability to drive safely to the destination* park the trailer* reverse down the ramp* take the boat in and out of the shed* knowledge regarding basic trailer maintenance, i.e. greasingbearings, checking and fixing brakes and fixing lights is favourable

The current towing subsidy is .175 cents per kilometre. This is meantto cover the cost of the extra fuel used when towing the boats or clubtrailer.

Only the people on the boat driving and towing lists are allowed to towand drive our boats on a club trip, without seeking special approvalfrom the President, and without supervision. The committee onlyapproves a person for a list if they form a reasonable belief that theperson has the necessary skills to perform the task safely. If youre not

sure if someone is on the list, or if you are, ask the President! The list

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changes with time, and the most up-to-date version may not be theone printed in the shed.

The club and committee can't promise you that every person onthese lists will always act responsibly, or that every person has all

of the necessary skills. We do our best to make reasonabledecisions and promote safety, but the rest is up to our individualmembers. If you don't feel safe with a particular tower or driver,then please take responsibility for your own safety, and don't get inthe car or the boat with them!