Jet skis and powerboats are becoming very much fashion items. There is a growing interest in their use and you do not even have to be officially a learner.

You can buy a jet ski, turn down the training offer, never watch the safety video given free, launch on to the water and no one can stop you. If, in that process, you kill someone, it is likely to be put down to inexperience.

There is no law to charge you with being in place and you can walk away scot free except, perhaps, for your conscience. If you do the same on the road, you will most likely face a charge of manslaughter at least and possibly spend some time in prison.

As powered watersports grow in popularity, so will the dangers become more obvious. So why do we have to wait until people are killed before introducing simple rules such as training and a need to have a certificate of competence before being allowed to go out on the public waters on your own? Save a life - train before launching your craft. You know it makes sense. I am tempted to get some stickers or leaflets printed - or both - and distribute them.

-Maggie Hoppe, Old Shoreham Road, Shoreham