Community leaders are calling for action to reduce irritating noise from remote control model boats.

E. Michael Jones and United Bermuda Party (UBP) Senator Kim Swan said they had received many complaints from residents in St. George's about the constant, monotonous buzzing.

They said they appreciated that model motor boats were a harmless hobby that brought hours of fun to both children and adults, but they felt that some compromise should be reached to help placate fed up residents.

Mr. Jones said he believed time limits should be placed on how long enthusiasts could operate their boats in any one day.

But Sen. Swan said he believed the option of fitting the boats with silencers should be explored.

St. George's Town Crier and community activist Mr. Jones said the area around Stokes Point in the Old Town was particularly troublesome for residents.

"This noise is constant, particularly on Sundays, and the residents can't get away from it," said Mr. Jones.

"There could be 20 people in all who have the boats, but there is no limit to how long they can operate them for. Some days it might go on from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.

"There are no regulations and I really think there should be. We should be able to reach a compromise for both the enthusiasts and the residents.

"The noise drives you crazy and it travels right across St. George's. Stokes Point is almost at the entrance of St. David's, but you can hear it from a long way away."

And Sen. Swan said the complaints he had received from residents were in connection with the same area - Stokes Point.

He added: "I understand that they can possibly be silenced and it would not hamper the speed they are able to travel.

"That is what laymen have told me, but it needs to be looked into. Although it happens at Stokes Point, the noise travels right through St. George's. I have had complaints from people in Wellington Hill and Fort George Hill.

"I think the solution would be to see if they could possibly be silenced. They really don't have to make that much noise."

Sen. Swan said even if silencers were not an option, the residents had to be considered.

He added: "Right now, there is no structure, so they start early in the morning, like they did this past Sunday.

"I think curtailing the noise would be a win-win situation. That is what we want to achieve."St. George's Town Mayor Henry Hayward said he had also received complaints about the model boats at Stokes Point, but said it was used so much by model boat enthusiasts because it was shallow."

He added: "We don't want the kids sitting on the walls, so they end up doing something that's entertaining them, but that irritates some residents.

"But the issue is outside of my jurisdiction, so there is nothing I can do."

However, the Ministry of the Environment said it was part of its remit, but said it could not act on a complaint via The Royal Gazette.

Permanent Secretary Russell Wade said: "I can't act on hearsay. We have not received any complaint in writing.

"It would certainly come under the Ministry of the Environment, but until we get something formerly in writing, we can't act on it."

The complaints about the model boats in St. George's are not the first for the Island.

Last month, The Mid-Ocean News reported how the newly formed West End Radio Control Club had found themselves up against residents who complained about noise and water pollution while trying to find somewhere to practise their hobby.

Boat enthusiast Vernon Smith said the exhausts used on the boats kept noise to a minimum, and he said, compared to full-scaled boats, the models did not pollute the water.

Mr. Smith said the group had been looking for a place to practise their hobby, and had contacted both Somerset Police Station and the Parks Department, but had received no reply.

However, he said meetings with the Department of Youth and Sport were in the works to discuss the issue.

He said: "Not every kid wants to or can go camping. Now we're just hoping to find a spot where it is ideal for us to run our boats."