Well done to the members of the public and the crew for saving this young life. Perhaps if the bureaucrats of the MCA witnessed her struggling or heard her screams they would applaud the actions of those involved and commend them for their selflessness and bravery.

margaret petterson, Darlington, England

I was there and witnessed this life boat launch to save this young girls life. They were amazing and should be given a commendation not face possible disciplinary action. I am disgusted that they are being treated in this way. This Country has world has gone health & safety mad! Ludicrous!!!

Laura Carter, Crawley , Sussex

“A bureaucrat is the most despicable of men, though he is needed as vultures are needed, but one hardly admires vultures whom bureaucrats so strangely resemble. I have yet to meet a bureaucrat who was not petty, dull, almost witless, crafty or stupid, an oppressor or a thief, a holder of little authority in which he delights, as a boy delights in possessing a vicious dog. Who can trust such creatures?”

- Marcus Tullius Cicero

Jim, El Centro, US

Since when can the Maritime and Coastguard Agency <i>order</i> anyone not to speak? Who the hell are they?

Steve Cooper, San Diego, USA

Here we go again, Health & Safety gone absolutely mad. Probably some regional MCA manager, graduate entry, without a clue about the sea.

The duty of care to those that go down to the sea in ships extends to everyone, including swimmers who get out of their depth

Give the boys a medal

Pete Rolston, Liverpool, UK

Health + Safety is a red herring in this case. Whilst the teenage swimmer was not equipped to survive in the conditions she encountered, the coastguard crew were fully equipped with the correct equipment; immersion suit, lifejacket, suitable headgear, flares etc. Poor excuse by the MCA, but typical.

Chris D, Edinburgh, Scotland

If your child ran out into the street. Would you carry out a "risk assessment" before taking action? No, of course not. These chaps did the right thing at the right time. Common Sense will eventually return to our lives. Well done to all of you.

Bernard Johns, Bourne End, England

Unlike the RNLI , these part-time coastguard 'volunteers' are actually paid. If the taxpayer can afford this, then can't we at least provide the right kit. I would not expect to be rescued in something unseaworthy.

Julia, Ryde, UK

world's gone mad; good guys do the right thing, bravely and get reprimanded. the lunatics are taking over the asylum and they walk among us

peter c, devizes, wessex

Having been present at the near disaster I understand that ALL of the MCA boats are banned from saving lives at present.
Jula Mitchell, Ashtead, Surrey

Julia Mitchell, Ashtead, England

Isn't this a similar situation to the Police arresting a member of the public for trying to apprehend a criminal? It seems that in the 21st century we have completely lost the ability to balance law with rational judgement. Rules are necessary, but it's sometimes equally necessary to break them.

Trevor Whelan, Hoddesdon, UK

I will write to MCA begging for mercy as it was matter of life and death. The girl was safely rescued, the boat worked, the guys knew the risk but could not leave the girl simply because they were good enough with rich experience, skill and training and their own pocket money repaird the boat.

Mrs Kay Anderson, London,

I hope the coastguards note the names and faces of these H&S fascists. Let's hope one of them needs rescuing at some point and the same lifeboat crew turn up. The H&S brigade are another arm of this viscious government and the EU, that is busy taking this country apart.

Brian Southwell, Suffolk, UK

So the lunatics really are running the asylum.

Simon Marshland, Bath, UK

Morrison of Hong Kong is correct. there is a question mark against the MCA regarding Health & Safety as they did not provide the level of equipment for the job in hand. how can the MCA and anyone else for that matter really expect a group of rescuers to sit and watch a child drowned. Great crew!!

Dennis, Norfolk,

I despair. So the pen-pushers would rather a life be lost then, all for saving £2000? Utterly idiotic. The volunteer lifeguards should be applauded as they risked their lives also by going out in a faulty boat. They should also sue the MCA for neglecting it's duty.

Graham, Bradford, England

Sack the spokesman for the MCA and the other prats at the agency

Phil, Lymington,

Should there not be an enquiry into why the MCA did not repair the boat and then,sfter the volunteers paid for repairs,it failed to inspect it.

W,J,Morrison, Hong Kong,

Proving once again that in Bureaucratic Britain, no good deed shall go unpunished!

Now, about those aeroplanes that were allowed to fly during the Battle of Britain, although clearly not airworthy?

Bob Evans, Anaheim, California

Had this girl drowned whilst the crew had stood by observing health and safety rules they would have been condemned just as PCSOs were in September 2007 in Manchester when they waited for extra help at the scene of a drowning. These volunteers (note that word, volunteers) should be being applauded.

Colin Ashley, Cumbria,