People who fail to take basic safety precautions when participating in water sports are being criticised for increasing the demands on coastguards in south Wales.

Incident numbers rose by nearly 100 in 2002, and call-outs also rose compared to figures from the previous year.

Swansea Coastguard figures 2002

923 incidents 779 call-outs 535 people assisted 549 people rescued 23 lives lost

Rescue workers have said they are concerned about a rise in attending emergencies involving angling vessels, pleasure craft and surfers.

Eric Birkett, deputy district controller at Swansea Coastguard, urged people to be prepared.

"All we ask is for people to get themselves properly equipped, register their craft with the coastguard, and join a proper yacht or angling club," he said.

"Talk to other people who have been doing this sort of thing for years.

"If they are uncertain, they can contact the coastguard who can tell them the equipment they should be carrying," he said.

If they are going to spend on a boat, go the extra mile and get the right safety equipment Eric Birkett, deputy district controller

In one incident last year, a crew of six anglers has to be rescued from the sea off Cardiff when their boat suddenly sank.

The coastguard discovered the men, sailing just before Christmas, had no distress flares or lifejackets.

They had a small portable radio which transmitted a weak mayday call.

The coastguard also warned about the dangers of taking boats out without proper engine checks, and the need for vessels to have back-up power.

Vast area

Mr Birkett said he did not want to stop people going out and enjoying themselves.

"These days people have more disposable income and they are turning to different things," he said.

"If they are going to spend x-amount on a boat, go the extra mile and get the right safety equipment.

"One of those glorious summers where everyone takes to the beach and the sea means a rise in our work.

"In 1996, which was a good summer, we dealt with 1,100 incidents," he added.

Swansea Coastguard responds to and co-ordinates incidents within the Bristol Channel.

The area, which covers around 3,700 square miles and approximately 250 coastal miles, stretches from Carmarthen Bay to Gloucester and down to the north Devon and Cornwall border.

Within the area, the coastguard can call upon 27 coastguard rescue teams which are manned by voluntary coastguards.

There are also 19 RNLI lifeboat stations, nine independent rescue boats and an RAF Seaking rescue helicopter based at RMB Chivenor in north Devon.