Caution 'best way to avoid accidents'

The number of reported incidents at sea is minimal despite the increasing number of registered boats, thanks also to the Malta Maritime Authority's Safety at Sea Campaign - the 11th edition of which was launched by the MMA yesterday.

Over 500 new boats were registered in the past year, taking the number up to 15,000 from around 5,000 10 years ago. But despite the increase, an average of less than one accident a week were reported last year - down by half over the past five years, MMA chairman Marc Bonello said yesterday.

"The public has recognised that acting cautiously and responsibly when at sea is the best way to avoid accidents, which can even be fatal," he said.

The authority is, nevertheless, continuously striving to prevent accidents and this year is collaborating with Sedqa by addressing its Don't Drink and Drive message to boat owners and anyone at sea.

The Safety at Sea Campaign stresses that boat owners should always make use of adequate VHF radios when out at sea. "Mobile phones can never replace them because their batteries can run out, while only one person at a time can be contacted, with no guarantee of getting through.

"On the other hand, with VHF radios, all other boat owners in the vicinity can hear the message and provide the fastest assistance," he said.

"Before going out at sea, always inform relatives of your whereabouts so that, in case of an accident, rescue operations have a clue from where to start," Dr Bonello pointed out.

The regulations state that no speedboats, or any other mechanically propelled sea craft, are allowed to exceed a speed of 10 knots inside a harbour, within 300 metres of the foreshore of any sandy beach and within 200 metres of any other part of the foreshore.

These regulations also apply to water skiing, Dr Bonello pointed out, strongly recommending that every boat be equipped with the necessary safety and life-saving equipment - even the most basic, such as flares and life jackets.

Abusive or dangerous activity should be reported to the Administrative Law Enforcement Unit on emergency number 112, or to the Armed Forces' maritime rescue on 2180 9279.

The police and the AFM also appealed for the use of the simple but life-saving device that switches off an engine if the driver is thrown off.

Jet skiis were still considered to be a major problem, they said, encouraging prudence. People liked to show off and step on the gas, without realising that they were too close to the shore and, therefore, a hazard.

They also stressed on the importance of carrying the necessary documentation at sea.

Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea said the "strong conflict" between the needs of swimmers and of boat owners could only be controlled if both observed the regulations.

Mr Galea warned against swimming in commercial harbours, in creeks and near slipways, close to intense boating activity.

He said the requirement of a licence, which was introduced four years ago for owners of boats of over 100 horsepower, had to be extended to everyone who had any vessel.

Mr Galea announced the establishment of a new swimmers' zone at Rinella Bay in Kalkara, bringing the total to 25. These zones involve the delineation of specific areas, reserved for swimmers and inaccessible to any sea craft, including windsurfers and jet skis, until September 30. They are clearly marked by yellow and red buoys at 50-metre intervals.

In Malta, the swimmers' zones include St George's Bay, under the Independence Garden in Sliema, Spinola Bay in St Julians, Golden Sands, Ghajn Tuffieha, Mellieha Bay, Paradise Bay, St Paul's Bay's next to the breakwater and next to the spot known as ta' l-Ghazzelin, Imgiebah Bay, near the waterpolo pitches in Birzebbuga and Marsascala, along the promenade leading to the Jerma Hotel, St Thomas Bay and Rinella Bay.

In Gozo, the swimmers' zones are Ramla l-Hamra, Xlendi Bay, Marsalforn, Qbajjar, Hondoq ir-Rummien, San Blas and Mgarr ix-Xini, while in Comino, they include Blue Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay and San Niklaw Bay.