You can never be too careful in or on the sea but several sailors do not seem to be learning this simple truth.

This late burst of summer weather has lulled some people into a false sense of security.

Despite largely calm water and good visibility, there has been a series of distressing accidents off the Sussex coast, two of them fatal.

Now Tim Maddran, from Portslade, has narrowly missed becoming another casualty in an accident near Brighton.

He was sitting on the side of his inflatable dinghy when he fell into the water and was gashed by the propeller's blades.

Coastguards say he was lucky to escape with his life and have issued a warning to people who use boats.

Sitting on the side of craft is dangerous. All you need is one jolt to go over the edge and into the blades.

Some people even sit their children on the sides of boats, which is particularly irresponsible.

The sea must always be respected, especially by people in powerboats, motorised dinghies or on jetskis Ask any lifeguard or coastguard and they will tell tales of ill-prepared mariners going out on boats for trips that end in tragedy.