LAST year's accident statistics point to The Broads continuing to be safe for boating.For the second year running there were no boat-related deaths and only 11 people were reported as requiring hospital treatment.

LAST year's accident statistics point to The Broads continuing to be safe for boating.

For the second year running there were no boat-related deaths and only 11 people were reported as requiring hospital treatment. There were four boat fires, half that of the previous year, and a fifth of the number in 2006. One of the four was caused by arson, and only one of the boats had a boat safety certificate.

Steve Birtles, the Broads Authority's head of safety, said: “The authority has sought to continue to highlight the message of personal responsibility for safety in its publications... This year has seen a noticeable increase in the number of boaters seen wearing lifejackets.”

The authority is trying to raise awareness of the need to “look before you leap” when getting on and off boats, and is about to launch a new safety campaign.

It is piloting glow-in-the-dark discs by mooring posts at Cantley. It is also considering painting the edge of some moorings in white.