The annual summer Safety at Sea campaign launched by the Malta Maritime Authority last week is now in its 10th consecutive year. Year in year out, the campaign has addressed all those who, in one way or another, have an affinity with the sea namely swimmers, divers, boat owners, and all the authorities concerned with the management and regulation of marine activity in Maltese territorial waters. Every year, throughout the summer months, the campaign has striven to raise awareness on the undisputable fact that at sea, everyone is responsible for himself and for others and should act accordingly.

Today, there are over 14,000 craft actively registered under the Small Ships Registry and this number is surely bound to go up with an increase of 600 newly registered boats happening in the past year alone. Therefore, with such a concentrated marine activity, all of us need to understand that swimmers and boat owners must find a balanced way to coexist together.

The delineation of 24 swimmers’ zones, four of which have been announced this year, is one way to attain this coexistence. Notwithstanding this, a most balanced coexistence can only be successfully achieved if we work and collaborate together to accomplish the true spirit of this campaign: For us to enjoy the sea and let others enjoy it as well.

Common sense must prevail at all times when at sea. People sometimes do not realise enough the implications when they act irresponsibly and when they do realise, they do so at their own or others’ unfortunate expense.

Some cases in point are swimming in commercial harbours and creeks close to intense boating activity, swimming in slipways, divers diving without the appropriate equipment that visibly signals this presence in the water as well as the dangerous and irresponsible handling of pleasure craft that endangers swimmers and divers.

Another aspect that is annually stressed throughout this campaign is the importance of the use of adequate VHF radio by boat owners when out at sea and that a mobile phone can never replace a VHF radio.

Besides a growing success story, the Safety at Sea campaign has also resulted into a continuous learning experience. It has enriched us all and has given us a valued insight into many different aspects that before were being taken for granted or ignored altogether. Unfortunately some might still feel overconfident at sea. Therefore, at times, we need something to remind us that the sea can be enjoyed but in a cautious and prudent manner. This is the main raison d’être behind the Safety at Sea campaign.

Throughout these successful past editions, the campaign, thanks to a most efficient and vigilant Malta Maritime Authority has managed to rope in a collective effort from all parties that in a way are involved into securing a safer environment at sea for all citizens and for all those who every summer visit our islands. Every year, the Malta Maritime Authority, the Administrative Law Enforcement Unit of the Police, the Civil Protection Department, the Armed Forces of Malta and the Maritime Institute within MCAST get together in one collective effort in order to ensure a safe enjoyment of the seas.

Above all, the Safety at Sea campaign has surely been an enriching educating experience whereby it has taught us the greatest lesson of all: That when everyone collaborates and works together, be it the authorities and the public in general, and when goals are clearly set, these can be attained in the most effective of ways.

Censu Galea is Competitiveness and Communications Minister