Ray Collins

Ray Collins is the ABC Trainer and Assessor at Mackay.From a very early age he was involved with boating and fishing with his father and brothers in the creeks and offshore islands of Brisbane.

This was the beginning of a love affair with the sea.He began his commercial boating straight from school in 1969 with the Department of Harbours and Marine, the predecessor to Maritime Safety Queensland.

His job included servicing of the navigation aids in Moreton Bay as well as the Gold and Sunshine Coast areas.After surviving the Brisbane floods of 1974, he transferred to Mackay and took up duties on the Pilot vessels as well as continuing to maintain navigation aids.He has gained a wealth of experience in all types and sizes of boats from Sarina to the Whitsunday's and he used this to help new comers and old hands, at the boating game.

He is still employed in the maritime industry and by combining the ABC training package with the new Boatsafe initiative, he is assisting boaties with the safest way to enjoy their fishing and boating time on the water.

Ray conducts the theory and the boatwork assessments for the one day courses, at the picturesque Mackay Marina and to date, have come back from sea with all the students he takes out !

So if you're from around Mackay and looking to do a Marine Driver Licence course, give Ray a call, He'll be happy to assist.