As of 3rd July 2025, Special Recreational Vessel Permits are issued under section 29 of the Marine Safety Act (NSW), and required for masters of commercial vessels between 35m and 80m LOA.
The requirements for the issue of this permit are detailed in Division 9 of the Marine Safety Regulation (NSW). Under this division, applicants must:
- hold a Certificate of Competency that authorises them to act as master of the type of vessel to which the application relates
- satisfactorily completed the training required by the marine pilotage code
- satisfactorily passed an examination approved by the relevant harbour master for the pilotage port to which the application relates, and
- provide evidence in accordance with the marine pilotage code that the applicant is competent to carry out unsupervised movements of the vessel to which the application relates in the relevant pilotage port.
Detailed information on each requirement is outlined below. Applicants who satisfy these requirements will be granted a Special Recreational Vessel Permit, valid for a period of 60 days. The Harbour Master may refuse to grant a special recreational vessel permit if the vessel is nuclear-powered, carries dangerous or hazardous goods in bulk, or is considered to pose a threat to safety or port property.
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The applicant must provide the following:
Evidence of Qualifying Time or Experience:
Candidates must bring a letter from their employer or a copy of their Record of Service Book on the day of the exam, which will be kept on file by Port Authority of NSW. This documentation must confirm that they have completed the required hours of employment in the past year in deck service on a vessel between 15 and 80 meters in length, operating within the applicable area and covered by a permit under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law.
On the day of the exam bring the following original documents:
- A valid Certificate of Competency issued under the Marine Safety Act, and
- A valid Certificate of Medical Fitness as required for the Certificate of Competency held by the applicant.
- A completed Special Recreational Vessel Permit application form
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Online Exam Structure
The exam for the Special Recreational Vessel permit will be one and the same as the online exam for the Certificate of Local Knowledge (COLK). The exam is a computer based knowledge exam that will cover the following topics:
- Names of bays, headlands, points, wharves, berths
- Navigational marks including leading marks with their descriptions, light characteristics and fog signals
- Depth contours
- Berth numbers and their location
- Position of submarine cables and pipelines
- Reporting points and speed zones
- Prohibited areas for anchoring, restricted areas and naval waters
- Heights under bridges
- Marine Safety Act, 1998
- Marine Safety Regulation 2016
- Harbour Master's Directions
- Standard Marine Communication Phrases
- VHF practice on approach
- Reporting points within the port
- Information available from Vessel Traffic Service (Sydney Ports VTS)
- Relevant sections of the Boating handbook issued by RMS Maritime
You have one hour to answer 50 questions and achieve a mark of 90% to pass. Where a candidate is unsuccessful, the master would be permitted to resit the assessment, subject to a seven (7) day waiting period between attempts.
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- Marine Safety Regulation 2016 - NSW Legislation
- Harbour Master's Directions - In force from 1 June 2024
- Notice to Mariners
- Berths and Channels Information
- Safety standards - Commercial vessels - Maritime - Roads and Waterways - Transport for NSW
- You can purchase AUS digital charts from Hydrographic Office: Australian Hydrographic Office - AusChartviewer
- Sydney Harbour AUS Chart 200
- Port Botany AUS Charts 198
- Boating Maps for NSW Waterways: Maps - Navigation and communication - Using waterways - Maritime - Roads and Waterways - Transport for NSW
There are no shortcuts to passing the test. If you don't study the AUS CHART, you are unlikely to pass.
Once you've studied for the exam, you can take the free online practice COLK. It is designed to help you become familiar with the exam and decide if you're ready to attempt the exam.
Practice COLK
The practice test looks and operates like the real exam. It consists of questions drawn from the COLK Question Bank. At the end of the practice test, you will be advised whether you passed or failed and you will be able to review your answers
Take a practice COLK exam by clicking on the links below or scan the QR code with your mobile device:
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- $1600 for each application.
- Payment will be processed on the day: We accept Visa/MasterCard
- Schedule 11 (Fees relating to state matters)
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Once you have studied and you are ready to book a time and date to do the exam:
Use the link below to book online:
Exam Calendaror email: colkexams@portauthoritynsw.com.au
PLEASE NOTE: All Exams are now done online via Microsoft Teams
Alternatively, if you have any queries, please contact Wendy Graham on 02 9296 4502.
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Conditions for Special Recreational Vessel Permits:
- Only move vessels requiring pilotage if listed on your certificate of competency.
- Do not perform unsupervised movements if unfit due to circumstances, conditions, or injury.
- Follow directions from the harbour master for the pilotage port.
- Comply with published port procedures from the harbour master or regulator.
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