fragmeister Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) Hi Raiders, Here's an interesting one that I can't get a straight answer on from Maritime/RTA My son who is currently 15 has a junior boat license which expires this Friday. He turns 16 this coming Monday. He also has a General Boat License just issued and just paid for which is valid from this Friday. We don't have the card license yet just the paper one which I paid online. He theoretically is not entitled to one because he is under 16 until Monday. Maritime/RTA have given me two answers. 1) "We would never issue a General Boat Licence to a person under the age of 16." 2) "Not sure mate, just don't let him loose until Monday". What do you reckon? Edited October 2, 2015 by fragmeister Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratchie Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 I would wait until Tuesday and you might get a completely different answer! Cheers scratchie!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boattart Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Interesting one. I have been waiting to bump into one of the Maritime or water police to ask something along those line because they are the ones that enforce the laws. My son is nearly 13 but has his Junior license. Now if he is driving the boat while I'm on it rigging gear or whatever does he need his license on him. He has it in his wallet but doesn't always take his wallet. If I leave the paper one on the boat is that enough proof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NaClH2OK9 Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 because they are the ones that enforce the laws.. And you think that makes them know the law more than the people you call who's job it is to tell you what the law is ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welster Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Hi Raiders, Here's an interesting one that I can't get a straight answer on from Maritime/RTA My son who is currently 15 has a junior boat license which expires this Friday. He turns 16 this coming Monday. He also has a General Boat License just issued and just paid for which is valid from this Friday. We don't have the card license yet just the paper one which I paid online. He theoretically is non entitled to one because he is under 16 until Monday. Maritime/RTA have given me two answers. 1) "We would never issue a General Boat Licence to a person under the age of 16." 2) "Not sure mate, just don't let him loose until Monday". What do you reckon? Does the junior licence automatically update or are they tested again? It's hard to get straight answers with any government department or large business. I'd be playing it safe and wait the few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fragmeister Posted October 1, 2015 Author Share Posted October 1, 2015 Does the junior licence automatically update or are they tested again? It's hard to get straight answers with any government department or large business. I'd be playing it safe and wait the few days. The upgrade is automatic. Sure is going to be hard telling the boy he can't open the throttle for a few day yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fragmeister Posted October 1, 2015 Author Share Posted October 1, 2015 Got a sensible answer on this one now. When they upgrade a young adult boat license ( sorry, I called this junior boat licence before) they take a look at the birth date and if its with a few days of the renewal they simply issue an adult General Boat License. Otherwise they give them a six month or 12 month renewal depending on what is closer and you can apply on your 16th birthday for the upgrade. Forgot to ask whether there is a credit against the payment for the early upgrade. Paying the general boat license immediately voids the young adult boat license and activates the general boat licence. Advice is to keep the paper renewal form and payment receipt number on the boat until the card licence is issued. So good news for the boy, his new general boat licence is valid and he is technically allowed to captain the vessel, go solo at more than 20knots... except of course there is one other authority in the way of that level of independence and responsibility... His old man! (Who knows what it is like to be 16). Cheers Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amkr Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 at 16 I had two speeds, flat out and stopped Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fragmeister Posted October 1, 2015 Author Share Posted October 1, 2015 I have to say that he is a very responsible boy... a real credit to his mother! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boattart Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) And you think that makes them know the law more than the people you call who's job it is to tell you what the law is ?? No but they are the ones that will decide wether to issue a fine. Your decision after the fact to challenge it is up to you. But asking a desk jockey at RMS wont guarantee they are on the same wavelength as those that enforce the laws either. Edited October 1, 2015 by boattart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welster Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 The upgrade is automatic. Sure is going to be hard telling the boy he can't open the throttle for a few day yet! It's a few years away but the daughter will be happy about the auto upgrade. Sounds like he is good to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mii11x Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 I would just wait a couple of days until his new one takes over.......also i always keep the paper versions on the boat - the invoices they send out with the payment details for both my boat and fishing license if I ever do forget my wallet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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