Yet again the same lessons need to be learned again we have seen no lifejackets or flares being carried on some boats.We would remind boat owners to check they have flares, lifejackets and a vhf radio also to tell someone ashore when they will be back.The year has seen a number of vessels needing assistance while accidents will always happen things like not enough fuel can easily be avoided. The year started with 8 vessels needing assistance due to heavy fog also a factor a few weeks later when the vessel "Engel" ran ashore on Morfa beach. Another worry is the children trying to dodge the sea coming over the pier on Aberavon Beach the so-called game being to get to the end and back with one child being washed off the pier this game has to stop now and parents need to be aware of this, some of the children have been under 10 years old. Remember there is no lifeguard on duty on the sea front during the winter months and we would ask any of you who see children doing this to contact MRCC Swansea by ringing 999. There was a small rise in incidents for our team in 2004 this of course dose not included the number of other incidents carried out during the summer months by the beach lifeguards that didn't need the attendance of a coastguard team.Port Talbot Lifeboat has also seen a small rise on launches in 2004 mainly to broken down vessels and investigations.