At Devonshire Dock there are plaques which identify those who went to sea off Bermuda and never returned.

And now that the US Navy has left Bermuda, the public must become more responsible because with the Navy's departure has gone its assistance in rescue operations.

Bermuda Water Safety Council Chairman Mr. Mark Selley said Bermuda now has to rely on Harbour Radio and Marine Police.

He called on the general public to increase its awareness of water safety.

Statistics for 1995 show an increase in water-related accidents. Mr. Selley attributed that to the increase in the number of boaters.

The two principal problems Harbour Radio faced, said Mr. Selley, was boaters not filing float plans and using the emergency channel VHF 16 for general conversation.

Harbour Radio spokesman Mr. Joe Pagnam said when boaters went missing without having left a float plan, rescue services had no idea where to begin their search.

A new programme started by Harbour Radio asked boat owners to include a recent photo of their boat when they registered it, said Mr. Selley.

This provided Harbour Radio with a clear idea of what to look for if that boat was reported missing.

However, Mr. Pagnam said most boaters had not included the photo or updated it when they made significant changes to their boat's appearance.

Mr. Selley said: "It is not fair for Marine Police or Harbour Radio to be searching for people who do not care about filing a float plan or about carrying the necessary safety equipment.'' New safety regulations were put in effect in 1993 but they were blatantly disregarded, said Mr. Selley. And "the worst disregard was by seasoned boaters who know better''.

"They are putting themselves and rescue services at unnecessary risk.'' Modern, reliable equipment is now required on all boats but because of the cost, said Mr. Selley, people refuse to purchase it.

"The Marine Police should not be having to waste time boarding boats to check equipment when there is so much else for them to do.'' Mr. Selley said: "There is only so much an agency like ours can do.

"We try to concentrate on the aspect of prevention, not retribution, by educating people.'' Mr. Selley urged boaters and would-be boaters to take marine courses. He recommended courses taught by Mr. Ralph Richardson, author of "The Bermuda Boater'' and a member of the council.

He also encouraged the public to take life-saving courses because, "one never knows when any of those life saving skills might have to be put into place.'' Mr. Selley said members of the council and the Marine Police were available to visit schools and speak to assemblies or classrooms.

On a more positive note, said Mr. Selley, was the success of the lifeguard programme which began in 1989 and took the council ten years to implement.

The head of the programme, Ms Candy Foggo said the service had rescued 48 people at Horseshoe Bay and John Smith's Bay from May 1 to September 17. It also assisted 3,452 visitors during that same period.

Because of its success, said Mr. Selley, the council was now looking at putting lifeguards on other beaches. The beaches would receive the service "as funding and priority allowed'', explained Mr. Selley.

Mr. Selley thanked the Bank of Bermuda and Bermuda Fire and Marine for funding 10,000 new colouring books for Primary Four students and the council's updated water safety pamphlets.

Members of the Bermuda Water Safety Council include: Mr. Selley; Mr. Ronnie Boys; Ms Louise Payne; Mr. Richardson; Ms Foggo; Mr. Brian Clinton; Mr.

Michael Jones; Insp. Steven Petty; Mr. Buddy Ford; Captain Ed Williams; Mr.

Joe Pagnam; Mr. Kevin Constable; Mr. Philip Guishard and Mr. Peter Haynes.

MR. MARK SELLEY -- Bermuda Water Safety Council Chairman.