Yachtsmen who enjoy the odd noggin are enraged by Government plans to increase licensing fees in a bid to crack down on binge-drinkers, while proposing to extend boozing hours around the clock.

The Commodore of the Flushing Sailing Club said his yearly licence fee will increase by a staggering 4000 per cent ‘assuming we are placed in the lowest charging band’.

The Government has ‘completely ignored’ concerns, raised from yacht clubs, that increases to the license fee will have a damaging effect on the sport, said a spokeswoman for the RYA.