A recent incident on the Exe serves to remind us all of our extreme vulnerability when on the water, and that even the most experienced fisherman or yachtsman is not immune from making a mistake that could result in a similar tragic accident. Cliff and I have made many wonderful, experienced and knowledgable friends at the club, who have helped to make our first few seasons of boating such a pleasure, often going the extra mile for us and giving endless free advice and help along the way. It is devastating to imagine how sad we would all be to lose any of our dear friends in this way. And my heart goes out to the family of this unfortunate man.

While on a fishing holiday in Norway last year, one of the things we were impressed by was that the local harbour authority would routinely tour the area checking the little vessels in and around the fjords, to make sure all on board were wearing lifejackets. Indeed the accepted culture was to do so.

My hope in writing this is not to offend anyone, or to tick anyone off, but to get more SFCC members wearing their life jackets, complete with crotch straps, when on the water (especially when in our dinghies), or when outside the relative safety of the cockpits of our boats.