A man whose brother died when their powerboats crashed has been inspired to mount a high-profile sea safety campaign.

Cliff Langan is organising a Sea Safety Awareness Day (SAD) for August 3, the day before the first anniversary of his brother Ian's death.

He said the idea came to him in a dream in which his sibling urged him to take action to avert more tragedy.

Mr Langan, 44, was at the helm of a boat which speared into the side of Ian's vessel off Brighton Marina.

Although Mr Langan was arrested and investigated by police, he was told last month there would be no charges against him.

Since the accident, he has been receiving treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and spent three weeks in a psychiatric hospital.

But he said his new campaigning spirit has given him strength and optimism.

He hopes that, on Sea Safety Awareness Day, all racers at Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight, will wear lifejackets.

He also plans to approach other agencies to join in, such as the Coastguard, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and ferry firms such as Cunard and P&O.

Mr Langan, who lives at Brighton Marina, said: "I am not looking for legislation.

"I just want to encourage common sense by telling people to wear lifejackets at all times.

"If you have one, wear it. If you don't have one, get one now. I want to see the red-and-yellow-striped flag, which means 'wear a lifejacket', everywhere.

"This will save lives. I have seen too many people go without and put themselves in danger.

"There have been horror scenes at the entrance to the marina, with people thinking they are Captain Nemo."

Although he had discussed safety concerns with his 45-year-old brother in the past, his new zeal was inspired by a dream last Wednesday night.

He said: "I heard Ian saying to me: 'Lifejackets, bruv, lifejackets.'

"Me and my brother always used to scare each other as kids. I usually came out on top but this time he did.

"I feel he's here with me, pushing me to do this. The accident will haunt me for the rest of my life but all of a sudden I feel so much stronger."

Despite his anguish, Mr Langan insists he was not to blame for the crash and, by spinning away as soon as he could, he saved the lives of others on board.

Mr Langan also realises that, although his brother was not wearing a lifejacket, he could not have been saved by one as he died on impact but says they will save the lives of others.

Mr Langan said: "I know people find lifejackets a bit hindering but I always have jackets on board so you can put one on straight away in any trouble."

Mr Langan, a former wine steward on the QE2, wants ferry firms to encourage all passengers to wear lifejackets on August 3, even for dinner.

He also plans to put up posters along the South Coast emphasising the safety message and is due to meet representatives of the RNLI, the Coastguard and Premier Marinas, which manages Brighton Marina, on Wednesday.

Mr Langan wants to hold Sea Safety Awareness Day on the first Sunday of every August, in honour of different people each year.

Anyone interested in supporting the idea should email Mr Langan at looselipslangan@yahoo.co.uk