More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
The future of a Sheppey landmark is under threat because of a cut in funding and yobs who threaten the volunteers who run it.
Queenborough Yacht Club (QYC) has announced it will be forced to close and dismantle the all-tide landing at the end of the year unless financial support can be secured.
Police have been called six times to the landing this year to deal with vandals who have stolen dinghies, caused criminal damage to yachts, threatened and abused the volunteers and ignored the signs prohibiting swimming.
Last year QYC even had to rescue someone who had managed to grab a mooring buoy before being taken out into the estuary by the strong tide.
These problems, coupled with the rising cost of maintenance and the loss of an annual Swale council grant of £2,000, have led the club to seriously look at the future of the floating pontoon.
The landing has served Queenborough for 15 years, bringing trade in from visitors to local businesses and also allowing fishing boats to take on and drop off fishing parties.
It is owned by the yacht club and according to Eddie Johnson, rear commodore at QYC, it is maintained by a small team.
The final decision will be made in November and Mr Johnson said closing it is a last resort.
Although there is a chance QYC will be successful in its bid to take over the running of the harbour, meaning the landing and the harbour would be managed by the same organisation, Mr Johnson said it is a very real possibility the landing will be shut.
He added: “The volunteers are losing hope.
“Much revenue has been lost this year as volunteers have felt that their desire to keep the all-tide landing economically viable is not worth a confrontation with youths.
“Access has always been available to the public with the only expectation being that they respect the rules laid down for their own safety.”
“The convenience of an all-tide landing is great but dwarfed next to the trouble it causes.
“It is regrettable that such a valuable asset to Queenborough will be lost, but the upkeep should not be the responsibility of a few.”
Sergeant Stefan Martin, of the Island Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Officers have been called to the all-tide landing on a number of occasions and dealt swiftly with individuals who have been caught committing crime.
“We are keen to see what the future may hold for the facility and would be happy to advise anyone involved on the best way forward in terms of reducing any antisocial behaviour at the site.”
Mr Johnson added they would welcome suggestions from the community into possible ways the landing can be kept.
They are looking for financial assistance or people to pledge hours of work to help with the maintenance.
