Purpose

To outline the licences required for specific roles within lifesaving services.

Policy

All personnel are required to hold the appropriate licences and be current and proficient in order to operate powercraft for lifesaving services.

Procedure

Rescue Vessels

Vessel Operators are required to obtain the necessary Federal and State Government licences relating to the operations of the marine rescue vessel they are operations (including exemptions and arrangements in place with SLSNSW).

A rescue vessel is defined as a rescue vessel that operates both short and long range in both surveillance and response operations.

Types of SLS Rescue Vessels

  • Jet Rescue Boat (JRB)
  • Offshore Rescue Boat (ORB)
  • Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB)
  • Rescue Water Craft (RWC)

Drivers Licence (Motor Vehicles)

The length of the tow vehicle and trailer is considerable and all up the weight of the boat and trailer can be up to 5 tonnes. A ‘Class C’ licence covers vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass (GVM). GVM is the maximum recommended weight a vehicle can be when loaded, therefore crew members are to obtain the appropriate NSW driver licence class. This may be a Light, Medium or Heavy Rigid Class or an “Articulated and Combination” licence, depending on the size of the towing vehicle and trailer.

Reference

Service NSW
Marine Rescue NSW

Last modified: 13/07/23