A Government inquiry should be launched to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of power boater Stuart Smith and address safety concerns arising from the Around the Island Race, Shadow Sports Minister Cole Simons has declared.

Simons, who made his call yesterday eight days after Smith lost his life during the annual race when the high-speed craft he was co-pilot of flipped over off South Shore. said that if nothing was done the Island could be left with "an inherently unsafe event".

On August 20, Sports Minister Randy Horton told the Royal Gazette that he would keep a close eye on investigations into the fatality but added that the matter would be left to the Police, the Bermuda Powerboat Association (BPBA) and other relevant authorities.

Horton expressed confidence in the BPBA and said he was certain any issues arising from the probe "that will further safeguard the health and safety of participants" would be handled appropriately".

However, Simons does not believe in Government's 'laissez faire' stance.

"Like the rest of Bermuda, I was shocked and dismayed by the tragic event that occurred last Sunday during this year's Around the Island Power Boat Race," he said. "My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the Smith family in New Zealand, to (boat pilot) Michael Araujo, and to members and drivers of the Bermuda Power Boat Association.

"But I believe that the Minister of Youth and Sport and Community Affairs, Randy Horton, needs to do more to assist the Bermuda Power Boat Association and the community through this difficult time."

Referring to Horton's confidence in the investigating authorities, the Shadow Minister said: "Is that good enough? I don't think so.

"I believe that if it is left to these individual groups important safety concerns, especially those involving spectator boats, might fall through the cracks.

"I think there is a need for the findings and opinions of all the relevant authorities to be co-ordinated and harmonised, and I believe a Government-appointed inquiry would be the best way of doing this."

Simons said he wanted to make clear he was "not trying to level blame at any person or group".

"But it seemed clear to me that a lot of good might come of an overall look at the safety measures that have traditionally been in place during the race," the MP continued. "A number of spectators were crowding the starting line on race day - one of them even had to be towed away.

"ZBM news last week highlighted spectators improperly positioned in other areas of the course, perhaps unwittingly, and aired footage of people begging boaters to get their children out of the water and out of the way of oncoming racers - unsuccessfully, it appeared."

Simons said he was sure the BPBA did its best to ensure the race day was well managed and that the required safety precautions were in place.

"They have hosted this event for the past 20 years, with no incidents of this magnitude - a laudable track record," he said. "I have spoken with the Commodore of the BPBA Chris Roque and he agrees that the approach we are suggesting may help make for safer races."

Simons said the results of the Police investigation would be handed to the coroner in due course and a jury would examine the circumstances of Smith's death.

"If they feel the safety procedures that have to do with the accident should be tightened they may make some comment," he said. "But that is likely to be months from now and they are unlikely to have an occasion to comment on race safety generally.

"The Bermuda Power Boat Association can regulate its members' and drivers' behaviour, but not the behaviour of the spectators and others who bring additional unwarranted risks to the sport.

"I believe the BPBA's efforts, the efforts of the Marine Police and perhaps those of others need to be coordinated."

This meant Government getting involved, Simons said.

"Unless Minister Horton and his colleagues at the Ministry of Public Safety intervene to provide that structured approach to the race in the future it may be that no attention will be focused on safety in a general sense and we will be left with an inherently unsafe event," he warned.

"I believe the community should be pro-active about this, because it is worthwhile doing everything we can to avoid the loss of another life in future."

A Royal Gazette internet poll has been asking if the Around the Island race is too dangerous to continue. A total of 450 people have so far voted with 69.3 percent saying 'no', 24.7 percent saying 'yes' and six percent having 'no opinion'.