The Water Safety Council celebrates the efforts of the organisers and participants in this year's Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute's Boat Parade. It promises to be another spectacular event again this year with even more entries.

In order to ensure that this year mirrors the good safety record achieved last year the Water Safety Council is offering a few reminders and tips for both the entrants and the spectator boats as follows: Remember that the law requires you to have as many life jackets on board as you have passengers. While its tempting to light up your boat to the `max' remember that if the wind picks up and the water splashes over your bow -- you are in real danger if you are running your lights with more than 12 volts.

Water and alcohol don't mix! It will take lots of concentration to follow this course and all boat operators need to be at their thinking best.

It's dark and it could be stormy so if someone falls overboard it will be difficult to find and retrieve them. Be sure you have a man over board plan.

To be really safe all young children should have their life jackets on.

Our congratulations to the organising committee and we all look forward to the parade. Have a wonderful time and stay safe.

Merry Christmas from the Water Safety Council.

SAILING SLG SHIPS SHI