The idea of licences for Bermuda boaters has been floated again, as new on-the-spot penalties to curb lawlessness on the water were approved by Senators.

Opposition yesterday said that given some of the dangerous manoeuvres he had witnessed on the ocean, a marine driver's licence would help improve safety.

"Quite frankly, the marine environment is quite dangerous," he said. "We have many, many people who operate vessels in Bermuda who do not have a clue how to operate a boat.

"That's something that Government might want to take on board."

The Opposition Senator's comments came before the Upper House unanimously passed a new law that will see boaters who commit offences handed instant fines.

Government , also chairman of the Marine Board, said the main aim of the act was to ensure swift justice as the current enforcement process was "tedious" and "bureaucratic".

Marine Police currently spend two hours each time they have to prepare a file for court, the Senate heard. And with small fines common when cases eventually reach Magistrates' Court, officers believe the system is a poor use of manpower and does not help them stamp out unlawful behaviour on the high seas.

Police hope the new law will give patrol officers more teeth ? and end the perception among boat users that warnings can be ignored because prosecutions will not follow.

Sen. Roban said there were about 10,000 licensed boats in Bermuda, with the number of owners increasing in recent years. This has created safety issues, he said, but the new law would make Police more effective.

The Act gives Police power to issue tickets for a wide range of offences including speeding, littering and not having a valid licence. Culprits will be able to pay fines within seven days, without the case clogging up the busy court system. Fines listed range from $50 to $200, although the most serious cases will still attract bigger fines and go to court.

Works Ministersaid the Marine Offences Procedure Act would help boost Government coffers, with the possibility of about $100,000 rolling into the Consolidated Fund pot this year through the new on-the-spot penalties.

He said research had been carried out into the idea of a boating drivers licence, which few countries had. "It's something that's still under review."

Sen. Richards backed the safety crackdown but said the list of offences could be hard to enforce. Some parts were too vague and left the boating community open to "subjective treatment" from Marine Police.

Most boats did not have speedometers, he said and added: "How in God's name are you going to know that you are doing five or ten knots?"

He also questioned how it could be illegal for a boat to move near the shoreline without creating a wake. "A boat can't go forward without creating a wake."

Opposition said families needed to be protected from reckless boaters and jet-skiers.

Government , however, accused Sen. Richards of being "pedantic". He accepted some of the descriptions of offences could be reviewed if they were not clear. But he said Senators should be looking at the spirit of the act, which was streamlining the enforcement process.

Meanwhile, Sen. Roban praised the school Waterwise education scheme.

Piloted at Spice Valley and backed by two major boat clubs, he said he hoped it would be rolled out so other pupils could learn more about sea safety.