Users of Oban Bay have expressed concerns at plans by the government body which owns the ferry terminal to take control of the entire bay.
It is agreed that a single harbour authority would improve safety in the busy port.
Now Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) plans to become the sole manager of the bay, which has raised fears among local businesses, tourism groups and yacht clubs that their interests could suffer.
Currently there are two Statutory Harbour Authorities, Argyll and Bute Council, which owns the North Pier, and CMAL which owns the ferry terminal.
Oban Bay Management Group (OBMG), made up of CMAL, CalMac, the council, Northern Lighthouse Board and Oban Bay Stakeholders’ Group, agreed that CMAL should take over.
But Sarah Brown, a member of a member of the Royal Yachting Association, said that a trust port would be more transparent and ensure community involvement.
Mrs Brown said: “When you look at harbour authorities around the UK nowhere else apart from a few exceptions do you have the major user also being the statutory harbour authority. That is not transparent.
“What implications does this have for recreational boating? Are there going to be restrictions in the way people can go in and out of the bay?”
Neil Mackay, vice chairman of Port of Oban Cruise Group, added: “A huge amount of hard work has gone into making sure that cruise ship passengers and other floating visitors can enjoy all the town has to offer.
“Anything that might restrict cruise ship movements is to be considered carefully.”
Calum Ross, chairman of Oban and Lorn Tourism Alliance, said they feel sidelined in what “should be an open debate with all the businesses in Oban whose livelihood is directly or indirectly affected by potential restrictions”.
And Andrew Spence, chief executive of Bid4Oban, added: “There are concerns that control over such a valuable and important asset should not be in the hands of one single body, corporate or otherwise.”
A spokesman for CMAL said: “Oban harbour requires a statutory harbour authority to deliver measures for marine safety as the volume of ferry and recreational traffic using the harbour increases.
“Given the growing need for a SHA, in the interests of harbour user safety, it has been agreed that the most effective option at the moment is for CMAL to extend its current harbour authority area. Consultation will be implemented as part of this process to ensure all interested parties can have their say.
“If people and groups in the local community want to set up a trust harbour, we would welcome that as a longer-term option and will happily re-consider our harbour area if one is established.”
OBMG is currently running an online questionnaire.
