PLANS to restrict amateur sailors to the same alcohol limits as road users have been welcomed in Poole.

Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman announced drink limits on Thursday, which already apply to professional sailors, will be extended to all yachtsmen.

Those found to be in charge of a boat and over the limit will be subject to the same punishments as motorists.

Ian Bishop, deputy harbour commissioner in Poole, said although there were very few serious incidents in the harbour, the new legislation was welcome.

"We are responsible for safety in the harbour and welcome the safety limits," said Mr Bishop.

"Given it is a large harbour that attracts large numbers of recreational boaters, the number of serious accidents is quite small.

"But we try to enforce a safety regime and would discourage any drinking and using the water."

Stephen Buck, secretary of the Royal Motor Yacht Club, based in Poole Harbour, also heralded the "sensible" new measures.

He said: "All the people who take boats to sea should be sensible and safety should be paramount.

"It would seem a very sensible piece of legislation which I don't foresee any problem with."

Concerns have been raised over the fact jet-ski users are likely to slip through a legal loophole with regard to the legislation.

Due to a Court of Appeal ruling, jet-skis are not classed as ships, although Mr Bishop said this could be addressed with careful wording of the new act.

Mr Bishop also highlighted the likely difficulty in enforcement and questioned exactly who would be responsible for any testing.

David Dunning, chairman of the Boating Association, slammed the proposals, accusing the government of "trying to crack a nut with a sledgehammer".

"It's nonsense and I do not understand how they are going to police it," he said.

The limits will apply to "those involved in navigation of a vessel" longer than 7m and capable of speeds of seven knots or more.

Draft legislation is due to be published shortly.