With effect from11 October 2005, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will issue Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (PPCDL) that comes with1life-time validity.Presently, the PPCDL is valid for only five years.The MPA will also renew the licence for non-motorised sailing dinghies once every three years instead of annually.Both initiatives will bring about greater convenience to pleasure boaters and sailing enthusiasts and encourage more maritime leisure activities in Singapore.

Life-time Validity for PPCDL

The MPA (Pleasure Craft) Regulations require individuals driving an engine powered or jet-propelled pleasure craft within1Singapore's port limits to hold a PPCDL.The licence is a measure to ensure that drivers are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive and navigate their craft safely within the port waters.The PPCDL also allows the relevant enforcement agencies to easily identify the driver while he is handling a pleasure craft in our port waters.

The MPA will issue the new life-time PPCDL when individuals apply for it or when they renew existing licences for a fee of S$20 from 1 Oct 05.Given that some pleasure boaters hold an employment pass, work permit or student pass, the MPA will allow them the option of holding a 5-year PPCDL at a fee of S$10 for new licences or renewals.

In the interest of safety, elderly drivers will be required to undergo regular medical checks such as eye-sight screenings to certify that they are fit to drive before being allowed to hold new or renew old licences.The first medical examination will be from the age of 65 years old and once every three years thereafter.

Three-year Licence for Non-motorised Sailing Dinghies

A sailing dinghy is a single-hulled pleasure craft[1] which has an overall length equal to or less than six metres and which does not have any motorised means of propulsion onboard.With the new revision, owners of non-motorised sailing dinghies (except those for commercial hire) can from 1 Oct 05 renew their craft licences when

their craft are also due for inspection, which is once every three years.This will make the process more hassle-free for the owners. The licence fee will still be S$30.

End of Release.

[1] The MPA (Pleasure Craft) Regulations require all pleasure craft (except canoes and kayaks owned by non-profit organisations and individuals) used within the port to be licensed.