[Neska]

The Swedish government has published its views on rules for a mandatory driver's license for boaters in Sweden. The country has never before had any mandatory license for driving a motorboat or sailing a yacht.

The rules will be divided into three classes:

1. Mandatory driver's license for boats with a hull of 10m (33ft) or more and a speed of at least 15kt. The rules will not affect people that are 55 years or older or people living on islands with no bridge or ferry connection to the mainland.

2. Mandatory driver's license for yachts of at least 12m (39ft) length and 4m (13ft) beam. Corresponding with today's rules for the Swedish 'Skippers license'.

3. Mandatory driver's license for pleasure boats that make at least 30kt or more by engine power.

The license will be mandatory from April 1, 2011, according to the proposal. Some 85 per cent of Swedish boat club members already have voluntarily licenses, which can probably be exchanged or migrated according to the new rules during 2009.

The Swedish government will work out the final details for this proposal and send it out to authorities and organisations for their opinions as soon as possible.