But more than that, Hopkins's father was the author of A Handbook of Average and A Manual of Marine Insurance, both standard reference books for negotiating, averaging, and adjusting the liabilities to insurance underwriters of cargo losses and shipwrecks, so Hopkins grew up in a world wet with marine accidents and was especially attentive to them.

NPR: Excerpt: 'Exiles'

In March, wet weather was also blamed for a fall in the number of Welsh beaches reaching the top EU bathing water standard in the Marine Conservation Society's Good Beach Guide.

BBC: Whitesands Bay in Pembrokeshire

Also Monday, the Standard Club, a British marine insurer, said that it had stopped coverage for Russian operator Femco's cargo ship, MV Alaed, amid allegations that it is carrying weapons to the Syrian government.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

The unwelcome discovery prompted Naoto Kan, the prime minister, to issue a new safety standard for levels of radioactivity in marine products.

ECONOMIST: A spreading cloud of economic and human costs

Marine constables undertake sea survival training in addition to the standard special constable training.

BBC: Dorset Police Marine Section 'saved' in cuts review