No no no to a bottle of rum

Britain has always been a nation of seafarers. Sea water is in our blood, you might say. Many of us go down to the sea — or at least to the river, lake or canal — whenever possible for fresh air and exercise and to escape the stress of the workplace.

Most boaters are responsible people, of course. However, you may be surprised to know that there is no legal reason for anyone to take lessons, gain qualifications or even buy insurance before they set sail.

You may be even more surprised to learn that the drink-driving laws do not apply to recreational boat users. Anyone can consume copious amounts of alcohol then head out into the deep blue yonder without a second thought to the consequences.

The Department for Transport has begun a consultation on limiting the amount of alcohol that boaters are allowed to consume when afloat. The 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood that applies to motorists is suggested.

Several accidents, including a horrific crash involving a high-powered speedboat on the River Dart in July 2006, have added some urgency to the process. Meanwhile, the Marine and Coastguard Agency has launched a “Don’t drink and drown” campaign.

The Royal Yachting Association and the British Marine Federation are seeking an exemption from the law for small slow craft. They would prefer to see legislation aimed at high-powered craft instead. It has been suggested that blanket legislation is irrational and disproportional when, for example, small yachts rarely travel at more than a few knots whereas motor vehicles travel much faster. Reaction times dulled by alcohol would be more of a problem in such vehicles than in a small boat.

Certainly it would be sad to see more legislation spoil what should be one of life’s simple pleasures.