The fall confirms the impact of cuts imposed by the Learning and Skills Council, the body set up by the government to oversee further education funding. The council, which employs over 1,000 staff and has an administrative budget of £246m, has switched funding away from adult education in favour of courses for school leavers. As a result, many further education colleges have been forced to drop their adult courses or raise fees sharply.

RYA theory courses, essential to support practical training and experience afloat, are among the casualties. As a result, the number of recreational boaters putting to sea without training is bound to rise, says the RYA.

The outcome could be a marked increase in the number of incidents afloat, including the prospect of death and serious injuries.

"Night school navigation classes are far from a luxury, " says Stevens. "Their loss has an important bearing on the safety of all involved in recreational boating, in which Britain has hitherto had an excellent safety record."