Train to be safe at sea

2:51pm Tuesday 27th May 2008

Dear Editor - There is no legislation to cover pleasure boating in the UK, which means anyone can buy a boat and, subject to permission, where needed, can launch and go off on whatever voyage they wish.

All too often I see people out at sea on the Milford Haven waterway in inadequate boats, with no personal safety equipment and behaving in a manner that indicates they have had no instruction of training.

Such blatant disregard for safety and instruction leads to exposure to unnecessary risk.

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA), a body with a strong voice at national level, does not believe that legislation is the way ahead, but rather that people should voluntarily seek training at a recognised training centre.

As the chief inspector (power boating) working at such a recognised training centre, I have been working with both the RNLI and the Coastguards to get various safety messages and information across to pleasure boaters and pleasure fishermen.

If you are using a pleasure boat of whatever size, get equipped, get trained and be safe.

David Perry 9 Rowlands Way St Daniels Pembroke.