ANGLERS casting their lines across Watchet Harbour entrance from the West Quay lighthouse are causing a major problem and putting themselves and harbour users in danger, marine authorities warned this week.

Following incidents which included a £5,000 replacement of a Sea Scout safety boat engine after a fishing line was caught around the propeller, new signs erected by the harbour authority ban anglers from fishing from the lighthouse area and casting their lines across the harbour entrance and approaches.

Watchet harbour authority, Watchet Boat Owners’ Association and Watchet Coastguard have all discussed the problem as a matter of urgency and warned that serious accidents and injuries could result if the situation is allowed to continue.

A Watchet Coastguard spokesman said: “Fishing from the lighthouse has caused many anglers to lose their rods or lines when vessels have not been able to see them and have dragged the rods into the water. It also endangers vessels if their engines were to become disabled by lines wrapped around their propellers.

“As well as the damage to equipment, anyone who catches a fishing line around them on a vessel, or has rods pulled from their hands, could end up with an injury requiring medical attention. One of the Sea Scout safety boat engines was written off when a fishing line was caught and wrapped round the propeller and shaft, forcing out the gearbox oil and replacing it with salt water.”

For the full story see this week’s West Somerset Free Press.