I recall going into an ICI office on the Tees many years ago and seeing on a wall a sign that read: "Why work when you can join a committee". The Water Activities Safety Partnership (WASP) launched by Liberal Democrat MP Julia Goldsworthy is just another committee. The organisation was set up to tackle the problems associated with speeding craft, dangerous wash, drinking while navigating a boat within the estuary and other issues such as crime afloat, fire and emergency response. WASP will have a great deal of buzz but little legislative sting in its tail.

Significant resources are required to police the estuary properly with the estimated cost of increased patrols, new boats and wages likely to run into tens of thousands of pounds.

Standing on Queens wharf in the dark on Saturday evening I spotted two rigid inflatable boats speed past at 20-30 knots both without navigation lights and not a WASP in sight.