Whilst Team GBR (and Chris) were racing in the European Championships in Nieuwpoort it gave me the opportunity to watch how each team was supported both on and off the water. If one was to ask an organising committee what was their priority towards competitors I would expect their reply to be one of safety.

Sadly this does not appear to permeate down to the team support boats and coaches.

Far too many support boats go to sea single handed. How often do we see RIBs being driven without engine kill cords attached to the driver. Its not a case that support boat personnel don't know about these things.

This was put into stark relief at Neiuwpoort when I witnessed in the entrance to the harbour a nightmare scenario we normally only read about in the press.

As the fleet was returning through the narrow entrance to the harbour, the helm and crew of a support RIB, travelling at too great a speed, were ejected from their boat in a sharp manoeuvre to avoid a group of competitors. In the water the crew and helm found the RIB doing tight circles around them at full speed. Miraculously the RIB kept just clear of them whilst for some considerable time there was no one was immediately able to help. Passing Europes held back until two other RIBs appeared and stood by not knowing what to do, until one crew member took it upon himself to jump from one boat to the other in an attempt to get aboard. After what seemed to be an eternity with the RIB continuing to circle the two in the water, he managed a successful transfer.