As a former CG Officer, I would advise Sweden to prioritize their testing in terms of who makes the most money, or is worth the most.
Generally speaking, the more expensive the watercraft, the less competent the skipper. I’m not saying its an unmutable law of physics, but the rich generally thing because they were either good or lucky making money, they were experts at everything they do.
Regular joes in small skiffs and weekend boaters are generally the best seamen. The rich are morons, and worse, they are too arrogant to learn the ‘rules of the road’, much less follow them.
However, bureaucracy costs and my opinion is that Sweden wastes to much money on red tape, regulations and unproductive authorities.
Most severe accidents caused by boaters in my country are due to the dangerous combination of drunkenness and water and I fear the introduction of more laws will not bring about a major change in this area.
But perhaps we will, eventually, find a way to deal with Italian “pizza lingo” Ferrari drivers haunting Swedish roads. More Swedish police officers should be taught Italian. This is the way to go;
As a former USCG enlisted puke and boarding offier, now resident of an upper-end marina-laden town, I'd have to agree completely. Most townie kids are far more skilled than the lawyers who who drive down here to their the million dollar plus luxury craft.
I'd like when you see a mercedes or bmw in your rear view mirror, you just know they are going to drive like a prick.
Pretty much the same with cars and drivers............