SARK’S plan to tighten its vessel licensing system could threaten the island’s tourist industry, according to a Barclay brothers-sponsored newsletter.

Kevin Delaney (pictured) writes the Sark Newsletter and claimed proposals by the Shipping Committee to force trade vessels traveling to Sark from all destinations to have a licence would be hugely damaging.

‘The proposal has the potential to derail the regeneration of the tourist industry here on Sark,’ he said.

Currently, only vessels operating to the island from Guernsey require a licence and Mr Delaney said the committee’s planned amendments to the law amounted to an attack on Brecqhou, which uses its own Brecqhou Warrior vessel to transport goods and building materials to Sark.

Mr Delaney said the amendments, which will be discussed at tomorrow’s Chief Pleas meeting, were unnecessary and in breach of European law.

‘The proposal being brought by the Shipping Committee under the chairmanship of Conseiller Peter Cole is a direct challenge to the future prosperity of the island.’

But Conseiller Cole denied that the proposed amendments had anything to do with Brecqhou.

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