The battle to curb anti-social behaviour caused by some owners of boats and jetskis that launch from Point Clear is being won, says Brightlingsea’s Harbour Master.

James Thomas says a scheme to register vessels launching from the beach opposite Brightlingsea Marina for harbour dues is helping to reduce speeding and other incidents because owners’ details are then held by the Harbour office.

“Over the past five years, concerns have been raised by Harbour Commissioners, Colchester City Council, the police, St Osyth Parish Council, Brightlingsea Town Council, and Tendring District Council regarding the behaviour of individuals launching anonymously at Point Clear,” said Mr Thomas.

“Incidents have included jet skis entering swimming areas, intoxicated boaters colliding with buoys, and numerous police prosecutions.”

Over the busy periods in the summer, Harbour staff have been asking boat owners bringing boats on to the beach to pay harbour dues, an approach that Mr Thomas says is bearing fruit. However, harbour dues are legally enforceable and owners who refuse to pay could be prosecuted.

PBrightlingsea from Point Clear (pic © Reading Tom on Flickr )

“It was widely agreed that anonymity contributed to reckless behaviour. To address this and prevent future accidents, the harbour began collecting all user details to ensure accountability,” he said. “Our target in all of this is to improve behaviour and the only way is to remove anonymity.”

By launching at Point Clear beach, boat owners can avoid scrutiny by harbour staff when launching or returning to shore, making it harder to identify anyone who’s been speeding or causing nuisance or danger to other harbour users.

Mr Thomas pointed out that the Harbour has no rights to charge for launching at Point Clear, but said it would be unfair for only Brightlingsea users to bear the costs of running and maintaining the harbour.

Dues help to pay for the safe management of navigational routes,  dredging of navigational channels, management and upkeep of the jetty, speed buoys marking regulated and unrestricted zones, river patrols, environmental work and staff. According to Mr Thomas, annual costs exceed £20,000 – far more than the dues collected for managing these activities.

It’s understood that there St Osyth parish council has a plan to put a barrier across the access to Point Clear beach, which may restrict launching to users who’ve paid harbour dues.