After a rather mild start to June, when the weather was cloudy and we even had some rain, the first real hot summer days have made us all want to go to the beach. With the scholastic year practically over, it is time for the holidays for thousands of schoolchildren, while the majority of the adult population will most certainly use up vacation leave to spend a few days either abroad or at the beach.

Last week, The Malta Maritime Authority launched the Safety at Sea campaign, now in its 10th year running. When Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea spoke at the launch, he said that such a campaign seems to have worked because fewer accidents at sea have been reported over in recent years, despite an increase in the number of registered vessels.

This was good news indeed, although it must be said that even one accident would be one too many. Still, the fact that a rise in the number of vessels sailing close to our shores has not led to a surge in accidents is something that should be commended.

It means that people are cautious when driving boats and that swimmers pay attention to the regulations aimed at increasing safety.

But this does not mean that problems will not crop up, and it is good that a campaign that focuses on the safety of our waters continues year after year. If anything, perhaps it should start a bit earlier than the last week of June, considering that many people have already started going to the beach by then.

One point mentioned by Mr Galea is the possibility of introducing on-site fines as is the case with road traffic contraventions. He complained that sometimes it takes more than two years to successfully prosecute people who have been caught breaking the maritime laws. In all, last year there were 250 such infringements.

This would not be a bad idea as, on the whole, it would certainly create more awareness and people driving a boat would take more care while they are doing so. We all know that most of us have become more careful on the roads because of the presence of wardens. The same would hopefully happen on the sea if on-site fines become the order of the day.

All in all, however, the best thing is to be prudent. Boat owners should be careful not to drive their vessel close to the shore, jet-ski riders must also exercise caution and the swimmers themselves should know that by venturing out to sea they are running a greater risk of being hurt.

The possibility of extending the maritime licence requirement to boats with engines of more than 75hp, up from the current 100hp, would also be a step in the right direction if it is implemented, as the minister suggested it would be from next year.

But safety at sea does not stop here. It also means that parents must take great care when going to the beach with their children as it is acknowledged that they can easily find themselves in difficulty. It means that adults should take extreme precaution when, say, they are about to dive or when they are playing in the water, particularly in the presence of young children. It means that hotels and other establishments offering their beach facilities should invest in lifeguards in order to make their beaches and pool areas safer. It means that signs warning of underwater currents or shallow water should be in place to guide swimmers.

Such campaigns, like the one on safety at sea, will continue to be successful if the advice given is adhered to. Summer is a time for fun, but it can easily be spoiled with one accident.