The number of marine accidents involving swimmers and boaters fell significantly last year, proving the safety afloat campaign has achieved its desired impact, Director of Marine Roger Tupper says.

Rescue cases at gazetted beaches with lifeguards on duty fell from 128 in 2007 to 95 last year, while that for accidents involving pleasure vessels, banana boats and jet-skis dropped from 45 to 29.

Speaking at the fourth safety afloat educational seminar today, Mr Tupper said despite the growing enthusiasm for water sports, the significant drop in rescue and accident cases is encouraging.

"However, we should not be complacent and this year's campaign needs to be sustained to ensure the message of safety first continues to reach the public loud and clear," he said.

The seminar, jointly organised by the Marine Department, Police and Leisure & Cultural Services Department, is to promote safety awareness and canvass views from boating communities on how to do the right things better in a rapidly growing marine recreational environment.

Educational seminars and promotional campaigns including television and radio advertisements have been organised to help people, especially in the boating communities, better understand marine-safety issues.

Patrol activities in the vicinity of the speed-restricted zones and the water areas surrounding popular gazetted beaches and water sports sites will be enhanced. Marine Police will also crack down on speeding and illegal or reckless boating activities.