FEARS that a leaked proposal to charge Inverclyde boat owners to sail on the Clyde could push the river’s boat clubs to the brink if implemented have been raised by the captain of a local sailing group.
Peel Ports Clydeport – the port authority on the Clyde – has discussed the idea of introducing the controversial charge, according to a leaked document seen by the Telegraph.
The PDF file, under the title “Leisure Vessel Conservancy Fee”, outlines the proposal to impact a £100 yearly charge, or £75 just for the summer, on all boats from six to 24 metres which are moored or berthed within the Clydeport area.
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The document outlines potential ways for the plans to be enforced and offers an explanation of the “purpose” of the charge.
Colin MacDonald, captain of the Gourock-based Clyde Etchells Fleet, is one of a number of prominent figures and groups from the local sailing community who have cried foul over the leaked plan and want to see it abandoned.
The 62-year-old, who has been sailing since he was a child, told the Telegraph the introduction of such a charge could have a profound impact on him and his fellow fleet members.
He said: “I just think it’s a blatant attempt to grab some more money from people they possibly think should be paying more.
“We have 19 owners who have quite reasonably priced boats that are all 30 years old.
“We already pay club fees, we pay mooring fees, we pay insurance. We already pay significant amounts, and £100 plus VAT on top of that is just crazy.
“The concern also is they may say that, once introduced, the fees aren’t covering the costs of enforcing these rules and they have to put them up.
“The sea is meant to be open to folk, a lot of people use going out on a boat as an escape.
“It’s you against the elements or racing against someone else, it’s all about your health and wellbeing and if you don’t get the opportunity to go out and get away from things you can really struggle.
“Everything like this is another nudge towards people not taking part any more.”
Mr MacDonald is strongly opposed to any attempt to introduce the fee and believes that any attempt to implement it by Peel Ports Clydeport could lead to a decline of sailing on the Clyde.
He added: “Clubs go up and down naturally anyway, but when there are so many other pressures on people’s time and resources that could lead to them saying enough is enough.
“I think there’ll be a big knock-on impact on to marinas and clubs which have been here for hundreds of years.
“I think it could [push clubs to the brink]. I think we could lose members and if we lose members in enough numbers then clubs will be right on the edge.”
Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan, who chairs a cross-party group on recreational boating and marine tourism at Holyrood, has also hit out at the proposal and backed calls for it to be ditched.
He said: “I have been contacted by constituents who are angry at this proposal and feel that this will just be opportunity to bring money into Peel Ports at the expense of boaters who already pay a range of fees to use the River Clyde.
“In addition, there are no guarantees that any fees collected will be invested in conserving the River Clyde.
“I was also made aware of the concerns that the fees are to be collected by boat clubs and marinas for them to then pass the money on to Peel Ports.
“There is genuine frustration and anger at how this proposal has come about and boaters want this proposal scrapped. I support them in their call.
“The River Clyde is a valuable asset for Inverclyde and the west of Scotland and it should be harnessed to ensure we have more recreational vessels using it.
“This proposed charge will ultimately drive people away and that would have a detrimental effect on the local economy.”
Mr McMillan said that Peel representatives had been due to attend the last meeting of the cross-party group on recreational boating and marine tourism in September to discuss the charge, but they were not able to attend.
He stated that the organisation have now been invited to attend the next meeting on November 26.
A spokesperson for Peel Ports Clydeport said: “We are at the early stages of exploring options around the introduction of a conservancy fee for leisure vessels on the Clyde, aligned to the practice of many other statutory harbour authorities who already apply these fees to their services.
“No decision has been taken with regard to these initial discussions. However if we were to pursue the introduction of a fee, in line with our statutory obligations we would hold a consultation during which all marine users would be given the opportunity to share their views.
“Conservancy fees for leisure vessels are standard practice among UK harbour authorities, enabling the essential maintenance and operation of our waterways.
“Regardless of the outcome of these discussions, as the statutory harbour authority for the Clyde, we will continue to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for both professional and leisure users of the Firth of Clyde and river.”
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