After two deaths in boating accidents off the Brighton coast and many more lucky escapes, the question remains: How safe are our seas?

The city has built a reputation as a playground for princes, playboys and partygoers.

The sea, once a sedate pleasure, has now become part of the action with a growing number of powerboats, water-skiers and aqua bikes ploughing through the water.

Speeding across the waves in a powerful vessel is high-octane fun. But just how much experience do you need to take a craft capable of speeds up to 80mph on the water? The shock answer is none.

Anyone, of any age, can jump on a speedboat or aqua bike and speed away. No qualifications required.

Drink-driving laws do not apply to the sea. A gentleman's agreement that it is not a good idea to imbibe before setting sail is all that exists.

In the last month two people have been killed off Brighton. On August 4, Ian Langan, 45, died when his speedboat was hit by another and on Monday water-skier Richard Croft, 33, was killed when he was hit by the boat pulling him.

According to experts, those casualties are the tip of the iceberg. They estimate the number of close calls could be 20 times higher.

The Palace Pier, the epicentre of tourist fun, is a magnet for waterborne wide boys and show-offs.

Although you cannot hire a boat or aqua bike without experience or an instructor on board, private owners have the freedom of the seas.

It sounds like madness but the boating fraternity does not want any changes.

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA), which represents the interests of water sports in Britain, believes in the softly, softly approach, promoting education rather than regulation.

Officially the same view is taken by the Coastguard although, privately, many would rather see regulation.

John Puddifoot, power boat racing manager for the RYA, said voluntary training for sailors was preferable to enforced regulation.

He said: "Awareness is what is important and there is nothing stronger than someone wanting to do something because they can see the benefit of it. Our training programmes are proven to work well and we have one of the safest records in Europe."

Claude Hamilton, spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said: "Successive administrations have decreed education is the way forward and there are excellent training facilities. Of course you cannot make people take these courses and there are a few who spoil it for the many."

Paul Simmons, manager of Hove Lagoon Water Sports, believes the law needs to be changed.

He said: "I think it should be a legal requirement to have some sort of training."

He said the growing number of accidents and irresponsible behaviour was a major cause for concern.

"It is not just the accidents that have happened in the last few weeks. For every one serious accident, there are probably 20 more close calls you don't hear about."

Powerful and potentially-dangerous aqua bikes should be subject to the same stringent rules, he said.

Day-long training courses offering vital information cost about £100 and some boat dealers offer incentives to take them.

Courses cover basic navigation, different types of boats, engine checks, safety equipment like VHF radio, flares and fire extinguishers, manoeuvring a boat at slow speed, turning, parking, emergency stops and man overboard recovery.

Sadly, some boat users never bother to learn even the basics.

Mr Simmons said: "We will not loan any equipment, not even a dinghy, unless people are qualified."

The Palace Pier is the centre of attention for fast-moving show-offs. Mr Simmons said: "People like showing off near the pier and they come in far closer than they should.

"It is a very dangerous area because it is a bit of a blind corner and accidents will happen."

The British Marine Industries Federation (BMIF) represents the interests of the commercial and leisure sectors of the industry.

Executive director Howard Pridding said there was no formal, national licensing for power boats.

He said: "Successive governments have decided there is no need for regulation although local and harbour authorities have powers to deal with miscreants. Hire companies are subject to Health and Safety Executive rules and no responsible company will hire anything without a proper hand over procedure."

As on the roads, alcohol can play a part in accidents.

Mr Pridding said: "We acknowledge there are people who are stupid and drink before going on the water but most people are responsible."

He said the Department of Transport was looking at the situation again for a new safety Bill.

Power boats, water-skiers and aqua bikes coming too close to shore is another area worrying swimmers and snorkellers.

The BMIF has worked with the Sussex Yacht Club to make the sea safer by segregating areas.

The RNLI also backs the "educate rather than legislate" approach.

Water safety manager Ian Benham said: "If you can convince someone of the need to adopt personal safety procedures, get more training and expand their knowledge and get them willingly to commit on a voluntary basis, this can be more productive than saying 'You must do this'."

He said it was estimated 3.5 million people in the UK were regular sea users.

"There are on average only 12,000 incidents a year and most of those are very minor.

"However, our advice is respect the sea. Look at the risks and get some quality training."

For more information about water safety training, ring the free RNLI Sea Safety Advice line on 0800 328 0600.