Licence required for water scooter use

The days of riding water scooters without special permissions are soon over.

New regulations regarding the use of motor-driven pleasure craft with a hull length of less than four metres will soon be introduced.

Two proposed announcements have been submitted to the Ministry of Trade.

According to one of the announcements, people who operate water scooters must be at least 16 years old and hold a water scooter licence issued by a certified course provider.

No such course is currently available in the Faroe Islands, but the Ministry of Trade says it will be introduced soon.

The licence requirement will not come into force until 1 January 2020, but the 16-year age limit will be introduced as soon as the announcement takes effect.

The other announcement proposes a requirement for the use of an approved life vest and an insulation suit. If a floating suit is used, a life vest will not be required.

Also coming up are restrictions on speed and distance from land, including a rule that says water scooters must not be operated less than 300 metres from land, although they can be launched from land.

Translated by prosa.fo