Hundreds object to hiring personal water crafts

East Suffolk Council will decide on Monday whether the use of personal water craft in its waterways will become unlawful

A consultation on whether to allow licenses to hire out personal water craft (PWC) has received hundreds of objections.

More than 370 people responded to the consultation by East Suffolk Council ahead of a decision on the issue on 20 January.

Suffolk Jetski, which began hiring out PWC last summer on the river Deben, prompted the debate and in their submission said they were a "legitimate" business providing a "unique" tourist attraction.

The majority of people objected on the grounds of "public safety, public nuisance and concerns over the impact on wildlife".

A report to the council raised concerns over the use of water scooters, such as Jet Skis, and the impact it might have on wildlife, pollution and other users of the river.

The council's licensing sub-committee has been recommended to refuse licensing the crafts for commercial purpose in the East Suffolk area - and if agreed it would become "unlawful", attracting a £1,000 fine.

Commercial operator Suffolk Jetski Ltd wants a licencing scheme so they can continue to offer summer time trips for tourists

In their consultation response, Suffolk JetSki Ltd owner Dan Mayhew said it was a "family-run business" which was "compliant, safe and responsible" and offered "diversity in the tourism revenue in Felixstowe and the surrounding areas."

He went on to argue that "they are not the threat to the safety and the thriving of the Suffolk waterways".

The private use of PWCs is regulated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

The Deben Estuary from Felixstowe to Woodbridge is an area of Special Scientific Interest and an internationally important wetland site.

In the report to the licensing committee, council officers said they had received responses from a number of statutory bodies, river user associations, individuals and East Suffolk councillors.

James Meyer, principal ecologist at East Suffolk Council, opposed the licensing, saying: "Motorised Personal Watercraft can cause significant noise, vibration and visual disturbance to wildlife including marine mammals and birds.

"They can also damage habitats such as saltmarsh, mudflats, seagrass and reedbeds, as well as flood walls, due to the wake generated by the vehicles."

The licensing committee will meet on 20 January to make a final decision.