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In the present context, the only relevant factor is the effect of increasing numbers on safety. The fact that much of the increase is likely to be fast powered craft is also relevant.
Harbour authorities have the right to introduce speed limits, and most do at various points in their harbours. These are observed more in the breach, and it is difficult to secure prosecutions. Registration of fast craft may be required.
Density of boats does cause safety problems. Both of the collisions I have experienced were in the Lymington River and both were, in part, due to congestion. Watching the stream of traffic at Hamble on a Saturday morning or a Sunday evening in the summer illustrates the problem. Impatient powerboats make wash that shakes the wind out of sails, and the combined wash of the fleet produces a confused sea. One therefore has to listen seriously to the Hamble Mooring Owners Associations claim that the river has reached its safe capacity. Similar conditions may exist at Cowes, Lymington and Chichester. On the other hand, the traffic in Cowes is more than doubled for the Round the Island Race and Cowes Week. Major accidents are rare because the dangers are so self evident. Could it be that the safety issues are over stated?
It is undoubtedly true that sailing in the Solent at weekends is a bit like going for an afternoon drive on the M4. You simply cannot relax, and a very good lookout needs to be maintained all the time.
It is probably better to look at the safety issues arising from a decision on overall capacity, rather than seek to limit capacity on safety grounds.
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