This has been a good year for activities so far, with a record of attendances at rallies. This does not mean that they are becoming overcrowded affairs, but that a friendly number of boats meet to sail together. They are not highly organised. This may lead to some difficulties in making contact, but the only safe and feasible way in an association such as ours is for each boat to be individually responsible, as if it were alone. This also applies to getting permission to launch, payment of harbour dues, and so on. Please note in particular that dues must be paid to sail on Langstone, Emsworth and Chichester harbours.

The success of a season is a chancy thing, and this year we have been unfortunate with the weather at some rallies. Again, individuals must decide for themselves, and there is no harm in being on the safe side. The poor opinion of local pleasure boatmen on the suitability of a Tideway for crossing Beaumaris Bay was irritating, as we knew it to be unjustified. The point was, however, that there have been several tragedies in the area: how were the locals to distinguish between the responsible and the irresponsible? It seems to me that there are a number of publications about which suggest fair weather launching sites as if they were normally safe, and which encourage a carefree attitude to coastal dinghy sailing. As boating becomes a popular pastime, more people try it in a casual way without knowing what they are in for. These are the ones who get into trouble, and the commercial interests who plug ‘fun boats’ and holidays afloat must take a large share of the blame. Let us hope that the fashion has reached its peak.