GROWING concern over the amount of mud in Watchet's multi-million pound marina has led boat owners and community and civic leaders to voice fears over safety and the long term economic prosperity of the facility. With the silt in some places now up to the retained water level, boats using the marina are sitting in mud for almost 20 hours a day, it was claimed this week. And there is now a real fear that if anyone fell into the marina it would be almost impossible for them to be rescued. Although a spokesman for owner Tim Taylor insisted yesterday (Thursday) that the situation was actually worse last year and that the build-up of silt was simply an annual problem that would be tackled, local people are calling for action. Former Watchet Boat Owners Association chairman Tony James, who is currently involved in the bid to develop a watersports centre just off the West Pier, said boats were "rock solid" in mud the majority of the time. "Every boat in the marina is now sitting on the bottom for almost 20 hours a day." Mr James, an author and journalist, ran aground in his 20ft Signet sailing boat Kittiwake just 50 yards from his mooring shortly before Christmas and had to call in the harbour launch for assistance. "The situation is definitely worse than last year," said Mr James. "I had a full hour before the gates were due to shut when I got stuck in the mud. "There was no more than a foot of water there. It is now a serious safety hazard. "If someone fell in you would never get them out, quite apart from the fact that boat owners are apparently beginning to seriously question the fees for a facility that they can't use as much as they should be able to." Concern over the situation was raised at a meeting of the Harbour Advisory Committee on Wednesday and was also expected to be discussed at a Watchet Regeneration Partnership meeting yesterday. West Somerset district Cllr Tony Knight said he had been worried for about the last three months. And he said it was vital that at a time when the redevelopment of the East Quay was imminent, the marina continued to attract people. "The marina must be a success for the East Quay to be a success," said Cllr Knight. "The mud seems to be expanding at a great rate and it's so wet and sticky that I am sure there are serious health and safety issues. "I have had so many people coming to me and expressing their concern over the situation, including boat owners. "As far as the human eye can see, the mud is much worse than it was last year." Marina manager William Bowman said he was aware of people's concerns and steps were being taken to deal with the problem in an economically sustainable way. Mr Bowman said dredging had taken place less than a year ago and the mud had definitely been worse last year. But he said a different method of tackling the problem was now going to be introduced. Specialist equipment has been bought to enable the marina operators to remove the silt themselves on a "little but often" basis. "This should mean that we don't get the huge build-up of mud that we experience every year and which is very expensive to remove," said Mr Bowman. "At the moment the marina silts to near dry-out level annually but tackling the problem in the way we are proposing should keep everyone happy." Mr Bowman said the equipment was not yet ready for action but the dredging would begin as soon as possible. Mr Taylor later told the Free Press that the equipment was awaiting licensing from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. He said he had invested £50,000 to get the new method up and running. "The fact is that Watchet has suffered from mud problems for 2,000 years and that is simply down to its location on the Bristol Channel," said Mr Taylor. "We dredged around two thirds of the marina in April last year and yet the mud is back again now. "The real reason that we have to dredge more frequently is because the Washford River no longer flows through as a decision was taken to divert it when the marina was constructed. "That is not our fault but we are having to pay the price for that decision." However, professional seaman Jim Nicholas, who lives in the town, said he believed the only real solution to the problem would be to install a seabed ring main system which jet clean river water into the marina at key points. "What is needed is a permanent system to keep the water moving and agitated, particularly on the ebb, although, of course, the mud that is there at the moment would have to be removed before this could be put in place. "The situation at the moment is shocking and if something is not done quickly then the long term viability of the marina is at risk. "I don't see how any additional pontoons could be put in until this issue is resolved and if something isn't done soon than boat owners are going to start thinking about withholding their fees."
