Ted Gets His Boat Licence

• Carter Mursell, Grade 6R
• Short Story
• 2011

Ted is really exited today,
He is going to sit for his boat license horary.
He has been studding for the last week,
For advice, he asked the man who rows up the creek.

He already knew his Starboard and Port,
He was now learning about other water sports.
And so the test began with the Jet Ski,
He hoped afterwards he could ride it with me.

Next was the main test,
On lights and channel markers they were assessed.
But Ted struggled with remembering that,
When you’re on the way out, its opposite, and that’s a fact.

A life vest must be worn while underway,
Unless you’re in the cabin, then you’re ok.
Fire extinguishers, EPIRB’s and flares must be onboard,
As well as a bucket or bailer attached to a cord.

Cardinal markers are the best,
They tell you to go North, South, East or West.
Navigational lights are Red, Green and White,
They must be used when sailing at night
You can only go up to 10 knots while you are young,
But, to the full speed limit when you’re full license has begun.

Access lanes are for waterskiing alone,
Red flag means it’s a “no boating” zone.
You must be 100m away from the flag of a diver,
Avoid the fishing wire when you are the driver.

Ted past his test with flying colours,
Now he can drive a boat and sail with the others.
He had to remember to duck for the boom,
We hope we’ll see you on the water very soon.