Tour boat owners yesterday claimed their livelihood has been threatened by new regulations preventing them from soliciting customers.They were equally angry about rules prohibiting them from remaining at port or on Corporation of Hamilton property for longer than 15 minutes.The tour operators claimed they were told about the changes on Wednesday.Captain Steven E Brown of Destiny Tours said he had already been issued a $100 ticket for breaching the regulations.The boat operators are expected to meet with Hamilton Mayor Charles Gosling today.Michael Gladwin, owner and operator of the Reef Explorer and President of the Tour Boat Operators Association said: “We were informed yesterday at 1.30pm by the Corporation that we are not allowed to solicit on this dock or any other Corporation property.“They are telling us that we only have 15 minutes to conduct our business on the docks. The police are coming and watching us and timing us.“I think the spirit of the law has been misconstrued here.”Speaking on the matter yesterday, Mr Gosling said that the rules limiting the operators from staying at port longer than 15 minutes have been on the books for a long time.“There has continuously been an issue during the summer months of users of the docks overusing the facilities and not allowing other permit holders to access the docks,” Mr Gosling said.However, he said he has already spoken with tour boat operators to arrange a meeting t o be held this morning, to hopefully resolve the issues.“I’m hoping to discuss with them what exactly the issues are,” he said. “We look forward to hearing their comments and suggestions so we can try to ensure all boat permit holders are able to fully utilise Albouy’s and the rest of the Corporation’s Waterfront.”Regarding the issue of solicitation, he said he knew nothing about the complaints.“I think it’s a policy throughout the Island,” he said. “I don’t think that’s a City of Hamilton issue.”According to Section 11 of the Summary Offences Act, it is illegal for someone to tout or solicit for the purposes of any trade or business, or in offering his services as a guide, in such a way that impedes, interferes or annoys passengers.Entertainer Tony Brannon called the regulations “ridiculous,” saying it is wrong to punish the tour boat operators who are working to provide a service for visitors.“You’re telling me that Michael Gladwin, who has been in the business of touring visitors for 25 years, is annoying people? Give me a break,” he said. “And you’re going to fine him $100 for leaving his boat at dock for 16 minutes?“Why not target those people on the streets harassing visitors asking for change, annoying people?”