Few people involved in powerboating will ever forget the tragic accident that occurred in Padstow two years ago when an entire family were thrown from a RIB that then circled unchecked at high speed, killing the father and eight-year-old daughter and severely injuring two other members of the family.

It?s easy to think that it won?t happen to us but having experienced myself how easy it is to forget to attach a kill cord after leaving the helm and how quickly a boat can ?hook? (where the bow digs in during a turn, causing the boat to spin violently), I assure you it can. Fortunately I stayed in the boat but it so easily could have been worse. Until someone comes up with a better idea, the only answer is to wear a kill-cord all the time, know how to use it and check it regularly ? whether you?re helmsperson or passenger.