Staff Profiles

Bryce Fletcher

(Boat, Jet Ski Licence course trainer)

Qualifications:

Master Class 5 (Restricted to Pilotage and Sheltered waters of Queensland), Coxswain, Marine Engine Driver Grade 2, Certicate IV in Training and Assessment and Boatsafe authorised training provider

Maritime History:

Bryce has always been interested in boats starting from the age of 19 when he owned his first 11' tinny with a 5 h.p. outboard. He started his commercial career in the marine industry by joining Coast Guard and Volunteer Marine Rescue groups in various locations throughout Queensland taking on roles of group training officer and skipper after becoming a qualified V.M.R. Offshore skipper at Mornington Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Bryce has been a Queensland Police officer for 20 years serving the last 8 years with the Brisbane Water Police. During this time he has been a qualified state search and rescue mission co-ordinator being involved in many search and rescue operations both as co-ordinator and rescue vessel operator. Bryce has owned or operated all types of vessels from a 15 metre patrol vessel to a Jet Ski in both commercial and recreational applications.

Bryce was involved in boat licence training part time for 3 years and is now involved in boat and jet ski licensing full time. Bryce is happy to pass on his skills and experience to future boat operators.

Chris Fletcher

(Central Booking Office Manager)

Qualifications:

Experience as retail shop Owner/Manager, Office Manager and Bookkeeper

History:

Chris's experience has mainly been in private enterprise in the areas of office management and bookkeeping, including receptionist, general office duties and retail shop management. She is the voice on the phone when you call Boat Jetski Licence with enquiries and course bookings.

Chris co-ordinates the running of courses throughout South East Queensland at various locations and Cairns Region. Chris will endeavour to choose the course and date most convenient to you, according to your needs and availability.

Chris will be happy to hear from you, so give her a call.

Graham Webb

(Boat Licence course trainer)

Qualifications:

Master Class 4, Marine Engine Driver Grade 2, Cert IV Workplace Trainer and Assessor & Boatsafe authorised training provider

Maritime History:

Graham has a long and varied history in the maritime industry, both commercial and recreational, spanning over thirty five years. He has skippered many vessels commercially including tourist boats, dive boats and fast ferry services and has also taught maritime studies in the NSW TAFE system for five and a half years.

During this time Graham has owned four sailing vessels and lived aboard his blue water cruising yacht, Manera, a Swanson 42, for twenty one years.

Graham travelled over 42000 nautical miles in Manera on the east coast of Australia and the south west Pacific Ocean. He currently owns a Magnum 8.5m trailer sailer and enjoys scuba diving both professionally and recreationally as a PADI Divemaster.

Neil Bailey

(Boat & Jet Ski Licence course trainer)

Qualifications:

Open coxswain with additional endorsement to operate 30nm offshore
(currently studying for master 5 and med 2), Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Open Water Dive Certificate, Boatsafe authorised training provider.

Maritime History

A family background in commercial fishing in Queensland waters from Tweed Heads to the Gulf of Carpentaria with some 17 vessels within the family, there was always something to do on the family boats. Neil has sailed on several vessels taking surfers for tours around Java and the Philippines. Neil has been employed by Keith Hall of “Incredible Fishing Charters” based at Redcliffe for about 2 years working as a deckhand then vessel skipper in waters offshore from Point Look-Out to the southern end of the Barwon Banks. Neil is still employed as one of Keith’s top skippers.

Neil has two young boys actively involved with the junior sailing club at Scarborough Boat Club and he is currently safety officer for the club’s sailing activities and he loves every minute of his time he spends with the club. Neil’s passion for the sea is now leading him further towards a full time commitment in training community members on public courses about boating safety and assessing skills required for the issue of their Recreational Marine Driver Licence and Personal Water Craft Licence. Neil believes everybody should be able to safely enjoy the pleasures of boating on Moreton Bay as he and his family does.

Neil is offering Boatsafe licence training courses in the north Brisbane area to Bribie Island, also travelling to inland waters such as Borumba Dam/Imbil to service rural residents.

Wes Summers

(Boat & Jet Ski Licence Trainer)

Qualifications:

Master Class 4 (Open), Coxswain, Marine Engine Driver Grade 2, Cert IV Workplace Trainer and Assessor, PADI Divemaster, Boatsafe authorised training provider.

Maritime History

Wes has been involved in boating since a young boy whilst growing up in Cairns and spending many happy hours fishing and waterskiing with his parents. Wes started his commercial career in the maritime industry after developing a keen interest in diving and advancing to achieve PADI Divemaster, employed by several dive companies and social groups in Moreton Bay and enjoying several overseas trips expanding on this experience. Wes was a Queensland Police Officer for 18 yrs and served the last 5 yrs with the Queensland Water Police. During this time he was involved in many inshore and offshore operations and mastered many of the vessels in the Queensland Water Police fleet. Wes is currently employed in the maritime industry by the Australian Customs Service, Customs Marine Unit as a Watchkeeper on the 38 metre Bay Class vessels operating in Australian waters. Wes has been involved as recreational boat licence trainer under the Boatsafe scheme for the past 4 years. He has operated all types of vessels including large commercial vessels, small trailer boats and Jet Skis in both the commercial and recreational fields.

Wes has a wide range of maritime experiences, skills and knowledge which he continues to grow and is only too happy to pass on skills and knowledge to students.