Police prosecution following the passing on Friday of an amendment to the Marine Board Act.

In the past, ferry and tugboat pilots who travel at more than five-knots and create a wake within 100 meters of the shoreline were dealt with internally.

"We feel now that there is no reason Government employees should be treated differently from those in the private sector,'' Transport Minister the Hon.

Ralph Marshall said.

He assured the ferry service would operate on schedule under the changed law.

The PLP supported the amendment, but had concerns that Government pilots would be exposed to hefty fines and loss of their licences.

Shadow Transport Minister Mr. Walter Lister said: "The onus is now on the pilots to keep boats within the prescribed speed when they are within 100 metres of the shoreline. Up until now such problems were dealt with within the department.

"I don't think we need to unduly throw pilots open to further charges and expose them to fines and loss of licence.'' Deputy Opposition leader Mr. Walter Roberts said he supported the concept of both private and public sectors working under the same laws and conditions. As a side note, he asked the Minister if he would consider sending the Cavello Bay ferry ten minutes earlier from Hamilton so it could stop at Somerset Bridge.

Many people making 9 a.m. find the Somerset Bridge morning ferry gets them to the city too early -- around 8.10 a.m. The Cavello Bay ferry would get them to Hamilton a few minutes before nine, he said.

Mr. Eugene Blakeney (PLP) said he worried the ferries would not be on time now that they faced prosecution for making waves in no-wake zones. And Mr.

Ottiwell Simmons (PLP), the leader of the BIU, said he feared long-serving Government pilots would end up losing their jobs if they lost their licences for speeding in no-wake zones.

"I appeal for the Department not to penalise them twice if they get caught up in their old habits. I ask for an assurance that employees will not suffer unduly with the new laws.'' Mr. Marshall said any pilot who loses his licence as a result of the changed law would be found work in another area of Marine and Ports. No one would lose their job, he assured.

He maintained he was confident ferries would be able to stick to their schedules.

Police, fire, naval and military vessels will continue to be exempt from Police prosecution.