Thread: Coastguard - Yes. VHF & Day Skipper - Maybe????

So I've just brought my first sea boat and will pay the $150/yr Coastguard membership but wondering about their courses. I've been jetboating and lake boating for 25+ years, however I do recognise that the sea is different and even though the boat will be used in sheltered Marlborough Sounds that shit still happens!!!
These 2 courses.
https://www.boatingeducation.org.nz/...s-certificate/
https://www.boatingeducation.org.nz/...1/day-skipper/

Are they essential / useful? My guess is many/most trailer boater have not done these courses. ~$300 & ~$500 in fees but with travels and accomodation, etc they'll be $1000 each........

I do see this "Legal Requirement: Under the Radiocommunications Act 1989, it is a legal requirement that anyone wishing to operate a marine VHF radio holds an appropriate operator’s certificate. For operators of marine VHF radios, the minimum legal operator certification is the Maritime VHF Operator’s Certificate (MVOC)."