Andrew Weir, in his excellent book 'The Tombstone Imperative', explains why it is that people generally DO have to die before change is actioned.

It would be extremely straightforward to enact legislation requiring all pot markers to be marked to a standard (flag, radar reflector, minimum pole height, automatic flashing light active at night, with identification marks indicating who the owner is).

My experience outside boating suggests that this legislation might rapidly follow a fatality, but will not come about without one. Really, we (reasonable people) should be able to do better.

So, how do we tackle this serious problem?

Is education (of the offenders) a possible answer? The CAA's general aviation safety department have made a huge success of 'roadshows' around the country preaching aviation safety messages - do we need something for boaters and fishermen? I think this could be a real winner - with RNLI involvement, it could be a strong tactic.

Should we (the motor boat community) get together to design and manufacture a 'standard' pot marker in sufficient numbers to equate to very low cost, and then actively market them - or offer them for free - to the fishermen?

Should we be more aggressive in tackling 'offenders' - when your sterngear is fouled, how could you track down the offending fisherman and prosecute, given present rules?

The present debate over light dues is a parallel. Most bouyage is handy, but not essential, for most of us. It doesn't provide genuine improvement in our ability to avoid hazard or reduce risk. Proper pot marking would, so do we need to join the two issues together somehow?

Go on, let's have some lateral thinking...