I was alarmed when I received a leaflet about SOLAS (this only means Safety Of Life At Sea). It seemed that, being named by its initials, this would become a set of bureaucratic regulations. This does appear to be so in so far as the sensible ideas it propounds are apparently to become legal requirements. In fact I hope that no one would put to sea without some sort of plan, contingency plan, study of tide tables, weather forecasts - but what, if anything, does it mean to enforce these precautions in law? Other requirements are less obviously controversial. It has been questioned whether a radar reflector of a size practicable in a small boat is of any use. Should it be illegal to sail without telling someone your plans? Adventurous expeditions which believe in carrying their own risks may well not want to be watched over and worried about. Many a trip takes much longer than planned but those at home often don’t appreciate this and react disproportionately. Then there is the requirement that everyone at sea must respond to distress signals - I thought that this was already top priority for all who go out in boats, and regarded as the law at sea.

All good advice - but I hope that SOLAS does not become yet another factor in making it more difficult to let young sailors, for instance, try themselves out in freedom.