SO, YOU WANT TO GET PAID TO DRIVE A BOAT?

Get your Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal qualification and turn your time on the water into commercial work in charter, fishing, tourism and workboats.

MAR20324 Certificate II in Maritime Operations

Online theory at your own pace — up to 12 months
One-week practical block at Cleveland, QLD
AMPA included free for Boat Coach students
Nationally recognised, delivered with Adapt Education (RTO# 32452)
$3,500 — payment plans available

Check if I'm eligible

Course at a glance

Qualification: MAR20324 Certificate II in Maritime Operations
AMSA pathway: Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal
Delivered with: Adapt Education (RTO# 32452)
Theory: Online, self-paced — start any time
Practical: One week, in person at Cleveland QLD
Time to complete: Up to 12 months
Next intake: Mon 30 Nov – Fri 4 Dec 2026
Nationally recognised: Yes

Upcoming practical intake dates

Practical blocks run at Cleveland, Queensland roughly every two months, Monday to Friday. Your online theory is self-paced — enrol any time and pick whichever block suits you.

December 2026 Mon 30 Nov – Fri 4 Dec

Open - taking enrolmentsNext available block
February 2027 Mon 1 – Fri 5 February

Open - taking enrolments
March / April 2027 Mon 29 Mar – Fri 2 Apr

Open - taking enrolments
June 2027 Mon 31 May – Fri 4 June

Open - taking enrolments
August 2027 Mon 2 – Fri 6 August

Open - taking enrolments
October 2027 Mon 4 – Fri 8 October

Open - taking enrolments

All dates are subject to student numbers. We need a minimum of 5 students for a practical block to go ahead.

If an intake doesn't reach 5, we'll let you know well before the scheduled dates and move you to the next available block at no extra cost. Please don't book flights, accommodation or leave until we've confirmed your block is running.

Ask about a specific date

Dates shown are indicative and may change. Contact us to confirm the current status of any block.

What the qualification lets you do

Coxswain Grade 1 develops the skills to operate and manage small commercial vessels in near coastal waters — vessel handling, navigation, safety, emergency response, weather, basic engineering and the leadership to run a boat properly.

With this qualification you can:

Operate as skipper on eligible small commercial vessels up to 12 metres
Work in charter, tourism, fishing, workboat, tender and support vessel operations
Manage passengers, crew, safety equipment and emergencies
Build recognised credentials for employment and insurance
Progress toward higher maritime qualifications such as Master under 24m Near Coastal

Ideal for deckhands ready to step up, career changers, commercial fishers, charter skippers, marine tourism staff and workboat crew.

Eligibility & requirements

Who can apply

At least 16 years old on the certificate issue date
Able to speak, read, and understand English
Medically fit for the duties required at sea
Able to meet AMSA’s medical and eyesight requirements
Able to provide evidence of qualifying sea service
Competent in the required Coxswain Grade 1 training and final practical assessment (AMPA)

Sea service — the bit that trips people up

AMSA currently requires either:

30 days qualifying sea service on commercial vessels at least 5 metres long with an AMSA task book, or
150 days qualifying sea service on commercial or recreational vessels at least 5 metres long without an AMSA task book.

Not sure whether your days count? This is the most common question we get — send us your details and we’ll tell you where you stand.

Training requirements

Applicants must complete MAR20324 Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal) through a Registered Training Organisation. This qualification is required to obtain the AMSA Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal Certificate of Competency.

Additional certificates required

A current HLTAID011 Provide First Aid certificate, or equivalent
A marine radio Short Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (SROCP), or higher
Evidence of passing the AMSA Mandated Practical Assessment (AMPA)

What you'll study

The 13 units of competency

MARF060 — Apply basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment
MARF028 — Follow procedures to minimise and fight fires on board a vessel
MARF029 — Meet work health and safety requirements
MARF030 — Survive at sea using survival craft
MARC037 — Operate inboard and outboard motors
MARI003 — Comply with regulations to ensure safe operation of a vessel up to 12 metres
MARJ006 — Follow environmental work practices
MARK007 — Handle a vessel up to 12 metres
MARN008 — Apply seamanship skills aboard a vessel up to 12 metres
MARB027 — Perform basic servicing and maintenance of main propulsion unit and auxiliary systems
MARC038 — Operate main propulsion unit and auxiliary systems
MARH013 — Plan and navigate a passage for a vessel up to 12 metres
HLTAID011 — Provide First Aid. Not included in the course price or learning plan. Students provide evidence of completion and may use another provider.

All assessments are completed in class using our online assessment software.

Water-based practical activities

For the survival units you'll complete several practical activities at a local pool:

Swimming in a group for at least 50 metres
Swimming in a lifejacket for at least 50 metres
Towing while wearing a lifejacket for at least 25 metres
Staying afloat without a lifejacket for at least 5 minutes
Boarding a life raft unassisted in a lifejacket, and helping others aboard
Jumping safely from a height into the water in a lifejacket

Please contact us before your course if you think you may not be able to complete these. We'll talk through your options first.

How distance learning works

Distance learning lets you complete the theory at your own pace, around work and family. You get:

Up to 12 months to complete the course requirements
A structured, easy-to-follow online learning plan
Online theory resources and assessment tasks
Support from our trainers by email, phone or video call by appointment

You'll also attend a one-week practical training and assessment block in person, covering the required practical training, skill development and final assessments.

Students in lifejackets boarding and paddling a life raft during survival training

Real training, not a classroom exercise

Survival drills happen in the water, in a lifejacket, in a real life raft — not on a worksheet.

You'll swim, tow, stay afloat, board a raft unassisted and jump from height, so if it ever happens for real it isn't the first time.

Boat Coach commercial training vessel with students on deck at Cleveland, Queensland

Your practical week at Cleveland

Five days on the water aboard a working commercial vessel, with the survival units at a local pool.

Vessel handling, navigation and passage planning, anchoring and mooring, engine operation, safety and emergency procedures — the same tasks you'll be doing on the job.

Please arrange your own transport to and from the training venues.

From enquiry to certificate

How it works — six steps

1. Enrol in the course

You enrol through Adapt Education, our RTO partner. Once enrolled you get access to your online learning and course requirements. Payment plans are available.

2. Complete your theory online

Work through the online theory and assessments at your own pace, with trainer support by phone, email or video call when you need it. You have up to 12 months.

3. Attend your practical week

Once your theory is done you attend the one-week practical training and assessment block with Boat Coach at Cleveland. Pick whichever intake suits you.

4. Complete your AMPA

The AMSA Mandated Practical Assessment confirms you can safely carry out the required skills. It's included free for Boat Coach students — or you can complete it with another provider if you prefer.

5. Meet AMSA's supporting requirements

Before applying you'll need to meet AMSA's sea service, medical (form 1850), eyesight, first aid and marine radio requirements.

For sea service, AMSA currently requires either:

30 days on commercial vessels at least 5 metres long, with a completed AMSA task book; or
150 days on commercial or recreational vessels at least 5 metres long, without a task book (form 771).

6. Apply to AMSA for your certificate

Applications go through myAMSA using your Australian Government myID. You'll need:

A signed, current Certificate of Medical Fitness (form 1850)
Evidence of your sea service
Your MAR20324 course completion certificate
A current first aid certificate (HLTAID011 or equivalent)
A marine radio certificate (SROCP or higher)
The cover page of your AMPA
A colour passport-sized photograph meeting AMSA's requirements

If you can't use myAMSA, complete AMSA Form 426 and submit it with copies of your documents at a participating Australia Post outlet, with proof of identity.

Boat Coach will guide you through the process so you know exactly what's required before you apply.

Coxswain student demonstrating a red hand distress flare during emergency procedures training

Safety and emergency skills

Distress signals, fire fighting and emergency response are all practised hands-on — real flares, real extinguishers, real equipment.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need experience before I start?

There are no formal entry requirements for the training itself. However, AMSA’s sea service, medical, first aid and marine radio requirements must be met before they will issue your Certificate of Competency.

How long does it take?

The online theory is self-paced and you have up to 12 months to finish it. The practical is a one-week in-person block at Cleveland. How quickly you finish is largely up to you.

When are the practical blocks held?

Roughly every two months at Cleveland, Monday to Friday. Upcoming dates are listed near the top of this page. All blocks are subject to a minimum of 5 students — if a date doesn’t reach 5 we’ll move you to the next one at no extra cost.

Where is the practical training held?

At Cleveland, Queensland, with the survival units completed at a local swimming pool. You’ll need to arrange your own transport to and from the venues.

What does it cost?

$3,500 for the MAR20324 qualification. The AMPA is included free for Boat Coach students. A Short Range Marine Radio Licence (SROCP) is $250 if you need one. Payment plans are available through Adapt Education.

Is First Aid included?

HLTAID011 Provide First Aid is one of the 13 units, but it is not covered by the course price or learning plan. You arrange it separately and provide us with evidence of completion.

Does finishing the course give me my Coxswain certificate?

No. MAR20324 is the nationally recognised training. AMSA issues the Certificate of Competency separately, once you have also met their sea service, medical, first aid and marine radio requirements. We will guide you through what is needed.

What can I do with the qualification?

Skipper eligible commercial vessels up to 12 metres within AMSA’s near coastal limits — charter, tourism, passenger, commercial fishing, workboat and marine support operations.

Can I progress further afterwards?

Yes. Coxswain Grade 1 is a step towards higher commercial maritime qualifications such as Master under 24 metres Near Coastal, with further training and qualifying sea service.

Already decided? Enrol directly

Boat Coach delivers this qualification as a third party provider on behalf of Adapt Education (RTO# 32452). Enrolment is completed through their website.

Questions first? Call Ben on 0477 145 560.

Enrol with Adapt Education

Have more questions about this course? Call Ben on 0477 145 560

Call Ben Check eligibility

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