I can’t believe what an idiot I was. In hindsight, I made the mistake legions of parents have made before me and legions more continue to make. It wasn’t a mistake so much as a misjudgement. When James told me, with an earnest look upon his face, that it was only going to be a couple of friends out on the boat with him, and no of course they wouldn’t be drinking, I had believed him. He’s my son, after all. Would he lie to his parent?

Well, of course he was. He’s a kid, worse than that, a rebellious teenager turning into a reckless young adult. He thought he’d be able to keep his friends in control – in reality it was his mistake and now mine that caused irreparable damage to the bow rail. How was he to know his friend had been drinking before hand? Do I think he should have lunged in front of friend just to save to rail? Of course not. His safety is always the most important thing. I’m just mad that this obvious source of potential problems had to lead to damage to my property.

Like everything on my boat, the bow rails are all custom made. I find the quality is better that way. I haven’t spoken to the guy who does all the welding and everything for my boat in years, not since I had it all put together when I bought it. But I shouldn’t think there’s any need to worry. At the time, they were the best marine fabricators in Melbourne, and I doubt that much has changed since then. The only trouble is, I’m not sure whether to make my son pay for the repairs or the replacement and in the process teach him a lesson, or chalk it all up to a learning experience.