WIFI and YouTube cameras could protect quay boats and boost tourism

Richard Evans Local Democracy Reporter

Wi-Fi could be introduced at a Welsh harbour to boost tourism whilst boats could be better protected by a 24/7 YouTube channel.

The proposals were made at a Conwy Harbour Advisory Committee meeting at Bodlondeb.

Speaking at the meeting, members of the committee heard of recent break-in attempts and the need for internet connectivity.

Break-in

Committee member Stephen Gorst said there had been a break-in at the harbour’s lift-out yard.

Harbour master Matthew Forbes replied: “There is a group of youths who have been identified. We have got them on CCTV.

“We’ve had the police in. They do know who they are, but it is a case of catching them in the act.

“I did have a discussion with the deputy harbour master the other day about putting in proper fencing across with a lock.

“I think that that is something we will look at. Whether we need planning permission to do that, we probably will, given where it is.

“So it’s on our radar.”

Committee member Bryn Hughes then suggested security could be improved with a 24/7 YouTube channel, pointing to the fact other harbours around the UK were protected this way.

He said: “Lots of harbours have 24/7 live coverage of that harbour available on YouTube.

“It is something that Conwy would benefit from for all sorts of reasons.

“Is there any possibility that we could look at it and obtain that in the near future? The various ones I’ve seen, and there are lots of them, don’t appear on council websites.

“It is a separate channel, by themselves, live on YouTube 24/7. I don’t see why we can’t do something like that.”

Harbour master Mr Forbes replied: “I will certainly look into it. You’ve got the cameras there.

“After the problems we had with a certain individual there, we upgraded all our CCTV cameras. We do have quite high-definition ones now.”

Wi-Fi

Cllr Sue Shotter then proposed that Wi-Fi was introduced on Conwy Quay and a YouTube channel protecting the harbour.

“It would benefit everybody. It really would,” she said. “Wi-Fi is the way forward now for all our tourists. I think it is a win-win.”

But Cllr Goronwy Edwards said the council might struggle to pay for the proposals and suggested the idea could be funded by Conwy Town Council.

Cllr Sian Grady seconded Cllr Shotter’s proposals and the recommendation was agreed.

Committee member Stephen Gorst then suggested that boat owners could use the Wi-Fi link to connect private security cameras.

The proposals will now go before cabinet.