Recreational Skipper’s Ticket
Submitted by Tim on Wed, 2008-01-09 22:04.
After having a chat to a mate who hasnt done his RST yet, I thought it was worthwhile reminding anyone who hasnt completed theirs that it would be worthwhile getting onto it now as there could well be a rush in the lead up to the deadline.
From 1 April 2008, every skipper of a registerable recreational vessel powered by a motor greater than 4.5kwp (6 hp) (RST vessel) will be required to hold a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket.
Apparently there is still a high percentage of skippers who have not obtained their RST yet so there could well be a rush for course places over the next few months.
.thumbnail.jpg "Little tackers")
Dreamweaver
Good advice Tim!
Yeah guys and girls, if you haven't got it, get it now. My wife works at DPI, so I'll see if I can find some figures (will be interesting).
The longer you leave it, the busier the classes/assessors will be, at best you'll end up with very large classes (if you choose to go down that method) at worst, you may not be able to book in.
If you get stuck after April 1? Have an RST qualified person onboard. Remember, unlike a driver's licence, they don't have to be at the wheel (helm) just onboard.
But having your oqn 'qualification' IS the best option.
Colin MOLLOY
**** RECFISHWEST No. 576 ****
Rodrat
Booked it
******* RECFISHWEST MEMBER *******
Dreamweaver
Rang the hotline
I rang the hotline and they say they are getting busier and busier every today, interestingly, I was told they couldn't give out how many have vs how many haven't. The guy I spoke to was pleasant enough, but wasn't his decision so didn't press the matter. I acn't imagine why it would be 'not for public' info.
Colin MOLLOY
**** RECFISHWEST No. 576 ****
Tim
Numbers
Heard a rumour that the number is quite high Colin. Possibly around 50% still need to do it.
** Recfishwest Member - 0416 ** Rockingham Offshore Fishing Club **
Dreamweaver
Yeah Tim
Yeah Tim - thans for that - that the chap I spoke to said that whilst he coudn't give numbers, there was still a number to get it yet.
Gonna get real busy I reckon.
Still can't see why they can't make that info public.
**edit - just sent DPI and email.
Colin MOLLOY
**** RECFISHWEST No. 576 ****
Dreamweaver
Update on RST Numbers
I received an email from the DPI RST Coordinator today - there are 86,000 registered recreational boat owners in WA and 76,000 RST tickets have been issued. Perhaps a small percentage of the latter are non-boat owners and not sure where those pre-qualified (by virtue of qualification etc) lye.
Colin MOLLOY
**** RECFISHWEST No. 576 ****
luke
interesting figures
interesting figures colin.... especially when a known boat columnist wrote recently that there was 80000 to go....mmmm maybe something to do with the fact they run a rst course ( rolls eyes...)... scare mongering i think...
10000 to go isnt that bad i recon...
luke ps..did mine a few yaers ago, when it was a rumour the rst was coming...
fish for fun, the future, and the belly!!!
Dreamweaver
Yeah, agreed Luke
Yeah, agreed Luke, well you know how bloody journos like to beet things up!
Maybe the powers that be wanted to get stern and have every one bow, with a hull of a fuss. It's a wonder someone didn't get decked for not bridging the communication gap.
Wise move too on your part Luke!
Agreed too, 10,000 isn't bad at all but, excluding today that's 80 days to go which is 125 RSTs per day!
Colin MOLLOY
**** RECFISHWEST No. 576 ****
Andy Mac
Did mine today
Silly me thought that "get your RST by April" meant the end of April, so was a little shocked when I re-read the info and realised I had to do the prac as well. It was well worth it though as I learnt thing sthat I will take with me for sure. In fact tonight I am heading off to do a seaskills navigation course to brush up on the finer nautical art of navigation.
Interestingly the other boat doing the course today actually capsized during an emergency stop demonstration done by the instructor.
Just shows how dangerous boating is and even the most experienced skippers can come unstuck. I think the crew were perhaps leaning the wrong way and the centre of gravity shift did the rest.
Cheers
rickets
Whats funny is my manager
Whats funny is my manager Joff has written qualifications in sea&boat rescue and is qualified to partake in extreme out wide rescue scenarios and he still has to sit the prac lol
Thats the govt moneygrab for ya
Dreamweaver
Oops on the capsize
You not got a boat Andy? With the capsize, I take it they were smallish boats with little freeboard?
Yeah, I had to laugh when I did mine, come in on the finger at Oyster Harbour (doen it a million times smooth as silk) and for the life of me (got the nerves) could not get it right. Then got more nervy and anoyed withmyself (disgusted). The assessor just laughed and said - don;t sweat it Colin - happens to the best of us.
Funny how that stuff creeps up on ya Andy isn't it - kinda takes you by suprise.
THAT (the capsize) would have been a kodak moment for sure (LMAO!)
Colin MOLLOY
**** RECFISHWEST No. 576 ****
alfred
I am glad I got it out of
I am glad I got it out of the way when it was first announced.
Tim
Good
Good to finally get it out the way Andy.
If it was the instructor doing the demo in the other boat does he lose his rst?
Is a capsize an automatic fail in that exercise?
** Recfishwest Member - 0416 ** Rockingham Offshore Fishing Club **
Andy Mac
As a fellow old sea dog...
Each boat behaves differently so this being the one that the instructor wasn't used to, kind of amplifies the importance of knowing your own boats behavioural characteristics and familiarising yourself with them intimately.
Cheers
Tim
Sorry
Sorry Andy, was just stirring but forgot the smilies
.
The gash to the head could make things interesting though as this would/could now potentially be classified as a workplace accident. Just a thought.
** Recfishwest Member - 0416 ** Rockingham Offshore Fishing Club **
GOATRUTAR
There has been a couple of
There has been a couple of dodgey operators out there also!
A bit of a back hander and mums the word!
So the rumour has it!
IF IT SMELLS LIKE FISH IT MUST BE GOOD FOR YOU!
Dreamweaver
True Andy and Goat
The comments on knowing your boat are so true Andy. I know when I went from a Douglas Sabre Runnabout to the Carribean Adventurer Cuddy, there was a HUGE difference in handling characteristics. Took me quite a while to get used to the Cuddy.
And yes Goat, I have it on good authority that a few of the cowboy RST assessors were 'defrocked'. I guess you'll always get a few dodgy oportunists in any industry where there is a $ to be made. Especially a fledgling (industry) one.
Colin
RECFISHWEST Member 576
VMR 610 - Albany Sea Rescue - Mariner 421
Tim
Reminder
Not sure if theres anyone left who hasnt got their RST yet but just a reminder that as of April Fools Day (only a few days away now) it will become mandatory for everyone to have one.
Im sure there will be quite a few checks happening during April so make sure you have it on you.
** Rockingham Offshore Fishing Club **