Marina’s application to lift ban on powerboats propels community fears

Safety fears have been raised by water sport enthusiasts on Loch Tay amid concerns jet skis and powerboats could soon be allowed, according to The Courier.

Taymouth Marina in Kenmore has applied to Perth and Kinross Council to remove a condition which prohibits the motorised craft on the loch.

The marina wants to abolish the restriction as part of a new waterpark and sheltered berthing expansion which was granted planning permission last year under the condition that ‘no power boating or jet skiing is permitted as part of the development’.

But the marina says the ban restricts the income from berthing at the marina –  a key element in making the waterpark ‘financially viable and crucially fundable’.

Other loch users have raised safety concerns, fearing such a move would open up Loch Tay to jet skis and powerboats.

“It’s like expecting pedestrians to share a pavement with a motorbike — you just wouldn’t do it,” says Alison Forsyth from a local group of open water swimmers.

In the application Taymouth Marina state they will still be ‘focused on encouraging sailing craft’ to berth at the marina.

“Our proposal would be that powered craft are permitted but that the terms of berthing at the marina are amended to include the following additional conditions which requires that all vessels berthed at Taymouth Marina will have suitable silencers and expansion chambers fitted to restrict noise,” a spokesperson told The Courier.