BIA Victoria -
Melbourne Boat Show
Coast Guard offers license lessons at Boat Show
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Coast Guard offers license lessons at Boat ShowThe Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association will again be training and testing would-be boaties to get their boat license at the 48th Annual BIA Melbourne Boat Show.
Two of the Coast Guard’s top trainers will deliver two sessions daily from Thursday 3 July to Monday 7 July at the Show at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
Victorian Training Commodore Ron Sheppard and Geelong Flotilla Commander Peter Barrow will run sessions at 10.30am and 3pm daily and an additional 6.30pm session on Friday & Saturday, with each three-hour session comprising two hours of presentations and discussion followed by the test and marking.
Successful participants will receive a handbook and a certificate of completion which they can present at any Vic Roads to buy their Recreational Boat Operator License.
The cost for the training and test is $70, and all proceeds go to the Coast Guard to do its vital voluntary work in helping keep the waterways safe.
Ron Sheppard has been running these courses since Victoria introduced boat licenses in 2002, and previously trained people for NSW Licenses.
“Personally I have trained in excess of 1000 people with a success rate of 95%,” he said.
“If you are interested in taking part you don’t need to pre-book – just go to the Organiser’s Office or the BIA Stand at the Show and they will direct you to us.”
Ron suggests people taking part in the course just relax and enjoy it.
“It’s not a University course so don’t come in too stressed – we give you the answers, although not in the test of course,” he said.
Another attraction at the BIA Melbourne Boat Show is the return of boating expert Alan Rice to provide free independent advice on boat selection for all patrons who attend the Show.
Alan will be based at the BIA Stand and this year he will be joined by fellow boating expert Glenn Powell to ensure there is always someone available to help throughout the entire Show.
The BIA Melbourne Boat Show runs from 3 to 7 July at The Melbourne Exhibition Centre and features hundreds of beautiful boats plus all the latest in boating and fishing gear.
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More information: Kim Mastrowicz 0425 771 199 or 8696 5600
Media inquirers & images: Greg Shoemark 0412 316 928 or 9898 5570
BIA General Manager: Robert Coco 0414 492 984 or 8696 5600
48th Annual BIA Melbourne Boat Show – 3-7 July 2008
Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Clarendon Street, Southbank (Melway Map 1C Ref G5)
Thursday – Saturday 3 – 5 July 10.00 am – 9.00 pm
Sunday 6 July 10.00 am – 7.00 pm
Monday 7 July 10.00 am – 8.00 pm
Admission: Adults $17; Children (under 16) $8; Students & Pensioner Concession Card Holders $12 (with ID); Family (2 adults and up to 3 kids) $40
More information: www.biavic.com.au