Rather than adjust we have buried our heads in the sand in the hope that the RYA and BMF could wish it away.

We must now ask ourselves if we can in anyway justify tax free fuel for purely pleasure purposes remembering our hard pressed commercial hauliers, competing for business internationally, are paying the full duty?

Yes indeed the pollution of increasing Jumbo aircraft is now recognised and ever more concerning our politicians (but it doesn't stop them flying around the world all the time to discuss this very problem) but to suggest that the UK's watercraft contribution "must surely be minimal" can easily be refuted by visiting the Solent, Poole Harbour or Studland any summer weekend.

I am happy to take up the personal gauntlet thrown down.

I have sailed actively since 1947, have been chairman of a major dinghy class, a class national champion and a class winner of the Round the Island Race and yes I have never owned a marine engine. Like Admirals Hawkins, Drake and Nelson, not forgetting Captain Cook, I have never not arrived at where I wished to.

This does admittedly require an awareness of the prevailing tides and winds. Once upon a time this was simply called seamanship.

I do not live in a solar powered house because this energy is abundant when you do not need it and absent when you do. However I hugely use sustainable fuel that I grow myself and restrict travel to less than 10,000 miles a year and conserve water. So yes I try to "do my bit".

Yes again it is a pity that the methane emissions we all produce cannot be harnessed for useful purposes but cows are the greatest generators.

If Mr Phillips could harness this source of energy he would do us all a service!

Regards, Bill Woodhouse Yachting Instruments