A NEW registration scheme has made the Teign estuary a safer place for sailors.

The system is aimed mainly at landlubbers who launch their boats without knowing much about tides and regulations.

The novices – often holidaymakers from inland towns and cities – can cause problems to other river users.

But since the registration scheme for powered craft was introduced by the Harbour Commission this season, it has drastically improved estuary etiquette.

Teignmouth harbourmaster Cmdr David Vaughan stressed that it was not a draconian measure, but aimed solely at improving safety for all and better management of the estuary.

He said: 'Those who cause the highest number of safety related issues live a long way from Teignmouth, and bring their craft here for the day, weekend, or longer.

'They have a tendency to be unaware of the capabilities of their water craft, the weather and tides for the day, the harbour regulations – especially the speed limits – have limited navigation skills, and also tend to be uninsured.

'This manifests itself in causing a nuisance to other members of the public using the beaches, harbour and river; needing to be rescued from situations that are predictable and avoidable; colliding with other boats, causing damage, and hitting swimmers, and being rude to harbour staff when they are trying to remind them of the regulations.'

Everybody with a boat on the Teign now has to sign a form to say they will comply with a specified code of conduct, and pay a £10 a year charge to cover administration costs.

This entitles them to a permit sticker to show their craft is registered with the commission, and their details will be entered on to a harbour management system. Harbour patrols regularly check craft are registered, and owners of sailing or rowing boats are encouraged to register at their discretion.

'The vast majority of boat owners fully support the scheme, and there have been very few complaints. It makes it better for everybody on the estuary, and we have a database of all the boats so they can be identified if needs be,' Cmdr Vaughan added.

He also emphasised that those who had a mooring licence permit, or proof of belonging to a water based club in the area, are exempt because they are already registered with the commission.

Permits run from January to December, and can be obtained from the commission office on the docks, the Polly Steps car park, Teign Dive Centre, Sea Sports South West, Ware Farm camping site, Bishopsteignton, and Pilkington's on Newton Abbot town quay.