Pleasure Vessel Operator 2 Course

Who takes the Grade 2 Boat Licence? Many people get it for fun and personal reasons: To enjoy boating trips with family and friends, and drive the boat themselves. To ride jet skis (water scooters) legally – you must hold the licence first. Simple as that – no other special reason needed.

Other reasons to get the Grade 2 Boat Licence: Career / side income: Some drivers switch to boat driving for better opportunities or extra money. Demand is growing for boat drivers in group sea activities (e.g. fireworks viewing cruises). Mechanics & technicians: Car mechanics can strengthen their engine knowledge because boat engines are quite similar to car engines. Maritime students: Taking the licence early helps future career development in navigation or related fields. It can be both a hobby and a useful qualification for work.

Getting the PVOC Grade 2 Boat Licence brings many benefits — both for fun and for career growth.

You can legally operate:

Pleasure vessels / yachts / Sailing boat up to 15 metres long (about 50 feet)

Speedboats

Cabin cruisers

Jet skis (personal watercraft)

The Grade 2 Pleasure Vessel Licence is very versatile. With it, you can join many types of water activities for fun or even work as a boat driver. It’s both practical and enjoyable.

Eligibility: Very simple — anyone 18 years or above, male or female, any nationality, can apply. Exam Format: Two parts: Part A and Part B Each part: 40 multiple-choice questions, 45 minutes Part A: Navigation, Seamanship & Safety Part B: Engine (Machinery) Knowledge Pass mark: 60% in each part Our Grade 2 boat licence course teaches exactly the exam techniques and covers everything you need.

Important Details: You don’t have to sit both Part A and Part B on the same day. You can choose different dates — much more flexible and less stressful. You have 2 years to pass both parts. Once you pass both, you can apply for the licence. When applying, you must submit your eye test form (MD687). If you fail the colour vision test, you can still get the licence, but daytime driving only.

Valid until you turn 65 years old — no renewal or fee needed during this period. After 65, you can renew (no re-exam required), but you must apply before expiry and pass a medical/fitness assessment.

Good choices for new drivers: Small speedboats or open bowriders (easy to handle, good visibility) Small cabin cruisers under 10 metres Personal watercraft (jet skis) — if you want something fun and simple Start with lower-powered, stable boats first. Avoid large or high-speed yachts until you gain more experience.

Yes, you can. Turning 65 does not stop you from holding or renewing the licence. After 65, you can continue to renew it (no need to retake the exam). You only need to pass a medical/fitness assessment by the Marine Department. Renewal must be applied for before the licence expires (6 months before if under 71, or 3 months before if 71+). So, age 65 is not a hard stop — you can keep driving legally as long as you get approved on renewal.

It depends on your learning speed. Most students spend: 5 hours on lessons 15–25 hours doing practice questions Total: about 20–30 hours. Our course divides everything into 24 short lessons with questions + detailed explanations, so revision is much faster and clearer. If you get stuck, just WhatsApp our tutors — they reply quickly. With good preparation, most people pass in one attempt and avoid wasting another $1,100 + time on re-sits.

After watching each lesson video, immediately do the questions for that lesson. This helps you understand the logic clearly. For questions not covered in class, read the explanations right away — it’s like a second round of revision. After finishing all 24 lessons, do the full mock exams. If you score 80% or above in the mocks, you’re very likely to pass the real exam. Best tip: If you’re not in a hurry, complete all mock exams first, then book the real test. This method saves time and energy, and helps most students pass in one attempt.

First, register as a member using your phone number. Then pay via FPS (6997 0411) or Alipay. After payment, WhatsApp 6997 0411 to confirm.

The Marine Department requires: Distance vision test (with or without glasses) for the better eye and the other eye separately, each with minimum standards. Both eyes together will also be tested for near, intermediate vision, and colour vision (with or without glasses). This ensures you can read marine publications, identify navigation lights, etc. If you pass with glasses, the licence will include a “Must wear corrective lenses” endorsement.

After submitting the result sheet and eye test report, it takes about 10 working days to receive the licence.You can sumit using this(link)If you fail Part A or Part B, you can apply for a re-sit. However, you must pass both parts within 2 years from the first attempt. If you exceed 2 years, even a passed re-sit will be invalid.

The exam is computer-based. Your result is shown immediately on screen after finishing. The result is sent to the Marine Department for licence issuance. If you want a record, you can log in to (www.vtc.edu.hk/cpdc) one hour after the exam and download/print your result slip under “Check Exam Results”.

Yes, basically you can. As long as you are 18 or above (all licence holders are), you may drive and act as captain of yachts under 15 metres in length. For yachts 15 metres and above, you need a Grade 1 Yacht Licence. Note: When operating a yacht under 15m, there must be one driver + one assistant on board. Please arrange a helper in advance.

Taking a professional course gives you systematic learning. You should also: Study the official Marine Department examination guidelines. Practise as many sample questions as possible to become familiar with the question types, improve speed and accuracy.

You must: Hold a valid licence (e.g. Hong Kong Yacht Licence). Ensure the vessel has a valid certificate, operating licence, and third-party insurance. Provide a safe and clean cabin environment. Conduct safety checks before departure. Sail at a safe speed, keep proper lookout, and never overload or overspeed. In case of an accident, organise rescue efforts to protect passengers and their property.

Yes, as long as it is not a prohibited area. However, you must obey all regulations: Never exceed speed limits in restricted zones. Never carry more passengers than allowed on the licence.

Before every trip: check all equipment (especially life-saving gear), review the weather forecast (do not go out in strong wind, waves, heavy rain or fog), and study the chart for dangers (reefs, strong currents, fishing obstacles, etc.). Always maintain safe speed, keep a good lookout, and give way to others. Professional boaters must always demonstrate good seamanship and safety awareness.

Yes, it is possible. If the applicant has relevant knowledge and potential in yacht driving but cannot read or write, they may request an oral exam for the Grade 2 Pleasure Vessel Licence. They can ask their employer to provide written proof of illiteracy (or other acceptable proof). The Marine Department may approve an oral test on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who can communicate in English but cannot read/write English may also apply for an oral exam. Note: They must clearly state the request for an oral exam when applying, and they may be required to take a practical skills test as well.

Candidates must declare any physical disability when filling in the application form. If the disability might affect their ability to operate a yacht, they will first undergo an assessment to determine eligibility. During the actual exam, if the examiner finds that the disability (e.g. speech impairment, deafness, mental issues) prevents safe operation of a yacht, the candidate may be disqualified and the exam fee refunded. Later, if the candidate can provide a doctor’s certificate showing improvement or recovery, the Director of Marine may reconsider allowing them to sit the exam.

Many people who get the Grade 2 licence want to enjoy self-driving. Hong Kong has several self-drive yacht rental companies. Before renting: Show your valid Grade 2 Pleasure Vessel Licence. Check that the rental company has a valid operating licence.

Ensure the yacht is equipped with safety gear (life jackets, fire extinguishers, etc.). Confirm the company has taken out at least HK$5 million third-party insurance for the rented yacht. This allows you to safely apply what you learned in the yacht course.

The exam is charged separately for Part A and Part B: Part A: HK$550 Part B: HK$550 If you pass and apply for the official licence from the Marine Department, there is an additional HK$220 fee. The exam is not held at training centres. It takes place at the VTC Peak Continuing Education Centre. For enrolment details, call 2919 1467 during office hours.

In Hong Kong, they are collectively called “Pleasure Vessel Operator Certificate”, commonly known as “yacht licences”. There are two main grades: Grade 1 Pleasure Vessel Licence: Allows operation of pleasure vessels of any length in Hong Kong waters. Grade 2 Pleasure Vessel Licence: Allows operation of pleasure vessels 15 metres or shorter, including personal watercraft (jet skis). Other professional licences include Grade 2 Commercial Vessel Licence, VHF Radio Operator Certificate, RYA courses, etc. For most people who have never driven powerboats before and mainly want self-drive leisure, the Grade 2 Pleasure Vessel Licence is usually sufficient.

Exams are held on multiple dates. Check the official timetable on the Peak Continuing Education Centre website(https://www.peak.edu.hk/exam/tc/md) Application deadlines: By post: 10 working days before the exam Online: 3 working days before the exam

Yes. Applicants must: Hold a Grade 2 licence (or equivalent), and Have more than one year of experience operating powered pleasure vessels or commercial vessels after obtaining that qualification. You can start from the basics (e.g. take the Grade 2 course), get the Grade 2 licence, gain the required experience, and then progress to Grade 1.