Strike over nightmare Maritime software

NSW boat owners may unknowingly be out on the water in unlicensed boats because of the failure of the government's new licensing software, a union says.

Since the new software was installed in July, NSW Maritime has neglected to send letters to boat owners reminding them to renew their licence, the Australian Services Union says.

It has also sent out incorrect letters to boat owners telling them their licence has expired, the union says.

About 24 NSW Maritime offices across the state closed in protest at midday on Friday, with customer service officers claiming management had refused to acknowledge the failure of the new software.

Australian Services Union NSW Secretary Sally McManus says staff are bearing the brunt of customers' anger and frustration.

"They are being regularly abused at work ... six people went home in tears last week," Ms McManus said in a statement on Friday.

NSW Maritime offices are responsible for issuing boating licenses and registering boats and moorings.

Ms McManus said the system had been a nightmare since its introduction and the average time for a registration transaction had grown from five minutes to 30 minutes.

"Incorrect payment information is being sent out to boatowners and the new software is completely incapable of processing new commercial boat licences, meaning this part of the system has effectively ground to a halt," she said.

"Introducing such a fatally flawed new licensing system isn't fair to the public, and it certainly isn't fair to staff."

The strike will continue until the end of Friday.

The union is threatening more strikes next week if NSW Maritime does not take action to fix the problem.

Comment is being sought from NSW Maritime.

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