CONCERN over the rising level of mud in Watchet's multi-million pound marina has led to calls for action to tackle the problem from boat owners and community leaders. Virtually all the boats berthed in the facility, apart from those on one pontoon, are grounded in heavy silt when the tide is out, it was claimed this week. And West Somerset Council, which last year launched legal action after declaring the operating company Watchet Harbour Marina Ltd in breach of its lease with the authority to keep all water areas clear, has confirmed it is investigating the situation. But marina manager William Bowman insisted there was no question that the marina would be allowed to silt up and said he had received no direct complaints about the level of mud. "This is the first we have heard of it," he said. Mr Bowman said the marina had a long-term contract with Dutch company Van Ood, who had carried out dredging last year. "The arrangement gives us the certainty that they are coming every year but they fit us in when they can and we have been unable to confirm dates, as yet," said Mr Bowman. "They will certainly be here within the next month or so. The water injection system they use has proved so effective that they have become victims of their own success and are very busy." Mr Bowman said that the marina's own dredger had also been operational but had been unable to work during a recent month of storms. Concern over the level of mud was raised at a meeting of Watchet Town Council on Monday night by Cllr Tony Knight, who represents the town on the district authority. Cllr Knight said he was extremely worried about condition of the marina and that he had been contacted by "lots of people" over the last few weeks. He said the problem was not insurmountable but required investment and determination. Cllr Knight said last year there had been around a metre of mud in the marina. "Now it is at least treble that," he said. "It is very much a health problem." He said the district council was aware of the situation and was looking into it, having already "taken action" by recently dredging the outer harbour, which is its responsibility. Cllr Knight's concerns have been echoed by Watchet Boat Owners Association and the town's harbour advisory committee. WBOA secretary Chris Danby told the Free Press that the organisation, which has around 120 members and represents more than 100 marina berth-holders, was very disappointed at the lack of dredging. "We think the level of silt is slightly worse than last year and it is building all the time," he said. "We have made our concerns known to both the district council and the marina operator and we are trying to work through the council to look at ways of prompting them to start dredging. "We are not happy and we are looking at avenues to get things improved. "Although some boats on pontoon A are just afloat when the tide is out, everything else is pretty much aground." Harbour advisory committee chairman Sally de Renzy-Martin said the issue of mud in the marina had been discussed in January when members had been assured that dredging would be carried out. "Effectively, we were told that the marina operator would be keeping abreast of the mud problem," said Mrs de Renzy-Martin. "However, in the last few weeks, marina users have been saying that the situation is not satisfactory. "Our committee is there to advise and we have advised the district council of our concerns. "The relevant officers are fully aware and, as we understand it, have been talking to the marina operator." The dredging carried out in the outer harbour was labelled "inadequate" by Mr Bowman, who said he had told both the district council and the harbour advisory committee his views of the operation. "This is not helping matters because it is affecting navigation in and out of the marina. "We are working very hard for the success of the marina and it is not helpful for the issue of mud to be raised in this way. "There is simply no question that we will not carry out dredging and we have a long-term plan in place to do so."