Two people in wheelchairs were turned away from the Portmagee pontoon recently because it was not safe for them to board.
That's according to local boatmen Nealie Lyne of Skellig Michael Voyage and Jamie Duff of Skellig Coast Adventures.
They gave a deputation at the latest meeting of the Kenmare Municipal District.
The pontoon in Portmagee has sixteen berths but serves tour boats to the Skelligs, as well as yachts and RIBs from across the country.
The boatmen say it is overcrowded, and believe the only solution is to install more pontoons.
Nealie Lyne told councillors that on a normal day, three boats are tied up side by side, and when a yacht arrives, a fourth boat is added.
He said this creates serious congestion.
Jamie Duff said passengers often have to cross several boats just to reach their own, calling this a major safety risk.
He and another operator run boats designed for wheelchair access.
However, two weeks ago, they had to refuse two wheelchair users because they could not guarantee a safe berth.
Mr Duff said this is not about comfort, but rather a matter of safety and liability.
He asked who would be responsible if someone were to fall.
Mr Lyne described the pontoon as dangerously overcrowded.
Mr Duff told councillors that Senior Executive Engineer Don O’Herlihy has proposed adding a new pontoon section, which would create four more berths and help ease the pressure.
District Engineer Pádraic Teahan said the council is moving forward with plans to extend both the pontoon and the slipway.
The project is expected to cost around 200,000 euro.
Kerry County Council plans to apply for funding from the Department of the Marine, and from the Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme.
If all goes to plan, work could begin in late 2026 or early 2027.
Independent councillor Johnny Healy-Rae said that if planning is granted, he would be hopeful funding can be found.
