Boat users must show insurance

3:17pm Friday 18th July 2008

FISHERMEN in Lyme Regis have welcomed district council plans to demand casual harbour users show their insurance before launching.

Regular harbour users must show their insurance every year, whereas casual users slip by without having to produce any documents.

West Dorset District Council says the move will ensure safety in the water. Technical services manager Steve Woollard said: "Regular harbour users already have to show that they have insurance but by asking casual users to do the same we are ensuring that if they were involved in an accident cover is in place to compensate the injured party."

Paul Wason, fisherman on the Spanish Eyes and Drifter, said it is about time. "There shouldn't be a single boat that launches without insurance," he said. "They can be dangerous and they are not professional people either.

"Certainly for the last five years the mooring holders - which is us - have had to show our certificates.

"I welcome it absolutely - 100 per cent. It is not before time."

Ron Bailey, fisherman on the Susie B, said although it has always been the case that everyone should show their insurance before going to sea, it is not always enforced.