There won’t be any need for boat owners to be fishing out their documents from the depths of a compartment with a digital licence now available.
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Roads and Maritime boating safety officer Phil Kearney will now be checking licences on the Service NSW app.
“People can download the app and that way the information is available to us and them 24/7,” he said.
“It’s convenient; people can renew their licences and change their details online at the touch of a button.
“Normally everyone has a phone with them – what better way to have your licence with you at all times.”
Mr Kearney said physical licences would still be valid and boat owners going digital must ensure their smartphones are fully charged.
“Those that are operating jet skis and PWCs still have to carry the hardcopy of their documents because it’s a photo licence,” he said.
“Being on the Border like we are, people obviously have to look at their own state’s regulation – this is a NSW initiative.”
Boating is the latest addition to a host of licences going digital in NSW – residents now can also access fishing licences, responsible service of alcohol documents and responsible conduct of gambling competency cards on the Service NSW app.
Since the platform was launched, more than 30,000 digital licences have been downloaded.
Roads and Maritime Services are also conducting a trial of electronic logbooks for learner drivers.
Minister for Finance, Services and Property Dominic Perrottet also outlined a goal for digital driver licences to be a reality by 2019 when news of the first digital licences broke in 2015.
