Government is to tighten up safety measures for mariners after waterborne accidents rose to 536 last year.

Transport Minister Ewart Brown said marine mishaps had risen from 524 and it was important to introduce a system of safety measures ahead of the boating season.

Dr. Brown said: “Last year the topic of marine safety sparked considerable discussion in the community, based on several marine accidents in 2003, which resulted in major rescue efforts, serious injury or loss of life.”

Details of injuries suffered were not available. “As more people use the waterways, traffic, like traffic on land, is getting busier and busier. We are not surprised but we are concerned.

“We have not done an accident analysis but if the trend continues we will have to do that.”

Marine and Ports, the Water Safety Council and the Ministry of Environment have formulated a guideline document of preventative measures which is being circulated to licensed fishermen as part of the registration renewal process.

The document should be completed by the end of the month. A water safety circular is also being circulated.

Both documents will be discussed and ratified by a four-man fisherman's consultative panel next month.

A new Port Facility Security Officer will have a mandate to ensure Bermuda makes its maritime environment safer.

Bermuda takes delivery of new search and rescue tug boat the Edward M. Stowe later this month.

The Minister said advice, rather than legally mandated regulations, was on the cards.

The use of EPERBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) on vessels could become necessary by law. Government urged boaters to register EPERBs with Harbour Radio.

The electronic global positioning for boats cost around $800.

Mariners going offshore are asked to file a float plan with Harbour Radio or a responsible family member and if the voyage changes to update them to avoid unnecessary searches.

Dr. Brown said the marine environment was full of danger but Government aimed to reduce risk as much as possible.

One Marine Policeman told The Royal Gazette they were regularly coming across boaters without safety equipment.

He said boats are often missing radios, flares and life jackets.

“There were probably more deaths on the water than on the roads last year,” he said.

Marine and Ports Director Barry Coupland said the New Nuts tragedy, in which two fishermen lost their lives, had sharpened the focus on the need for more marine safety.