Doing my duty on the high seas

I'VE just done my first duty back on the high seas this summer as part of the crew for the Exmouth Harbour Master patrolling Exe estuary.

It was a beautiful Sunday morning and instead of being out on the BIG boat, the City of Exeter, I was with fellow crewmember Martin in a smaller craft the cutter.

I'm not allowed to helm at the moment without the boss being there until I've taken my level two powerboat-handling course so I was a duty spotter! This entails making sure that everyone on the water is safe.

For instance, if they're water skiing they are in the designated area. If they are on jet skis they're not launching or docking on the beach where children are playing and swimming or doing high-speed donuts round anchored craft where folk might be fishing or kids just trying out their weekend inflatables or gently paddle boarding.

And if there is a regatta, pointing out it's not funny to race in between the sailboats causing havoc.

Of course making sure that nobody, but nobody, exceeds the speed limit of 10 knots!