Residents say noisy hovercraft ruins peace

ST. PETERSBURG -- Pilot Bob Wagner unpacked a lime-green hovercraft from a box. He switched it on, producing a vacuum cleaner sound, and floated the toy across the table.

The model resembled the 36-foot HOVER-ONE, a 15,000-lb. craft with a diesel engine and rotary fans that push it about two feet over the water's surface. Wagner wanted to show Pinellas Point residents what has been blowing by their docks for the past two months.

It was a bumpy ride.

Wagner launched his 12-passenger hovercraft in September after he got the city council's approval. For an off-season adult price of $25 ($35 starting Dec. 15), passengers can travel between the Pier, the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort (near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge) and Egmont Key. The craft makes four trips daily, so passengers can linger at any location and catch a ride home later.

The ex-Marine pilot laced his talk with RPMs, hydraulic pumps and a history of the hovercraft, which, he explained, is actually more similar to an aircraft on the water than a boat.

Waterfront homeowners had other things on their minds. They accused Wagner's pilots of flying too close to residents' docks and wading fishermen. They hinted that the vehicle's air cushion damages sea grasses. But most of their complaints were about the craft's noise.

"I'm telling you that is the most excruciating noise I have ever heard," said Jim Sharp, 81, who left Tuesday's meeting of the Greater Pinellas Point Civic Association early.

Wagner's enterprise suffered a setback in February when the St. Pete Beach City Commission unanimously rejected a request by the TradeWinds Island Resort to allow hovercraft launches from the hotel to downtown St. Petersburg, Fort De Soto and Egmont Key. Pinellas Point residents agreed to invite Wagner to their January meeting to allow him time to address their concerns.

By Thursday, Wagner said he had instructed his pilots to fly no closer to the shore than 500 feet. He said they kept a distance of 100 feet, but several residents disagreed.

"People come to Pinellas Point for rest and relaxation, not action," said real estate agent Maren Cox. "They like their quiet."

Even so, Wagner said he picked up two charter reservations from residents after the meeting. Physician Richard Norenberg noted children and grandchildren would be coming for Thanksgiving and he booked a half-day trip for the group.

"He came home all excited," said his wife, Arlene Norenberg.

Wagner had to rescind a free-ride invitation for Pinellas Point board members last weekend so he could install new pumps for extra wave clearance. Board member Martha O'Bryan said the hovercraft's sudden appearance has made waves in the community.

"It was such a shock," O'Bryan said. "We had no idea it was coming."

Wagner said individual, group or charter trips can be scheduled through Hover USA, 578-4060, or by visiting the company Web site, www.hovercraftusa.com.

Pinellas Point residents also tossed ideas to a real estate agent about possible uses for vacant commercial property at Bay Village. The shopping center, located at 22nd Street S and 62nd Avenue S, hasn't had an anchor tenant since Winn-Dixie left in 1994 and, in recent years, several retail spaces have been vacant. The South Branch library relocated to 2300 Roy Hanna Drive, next door to the former grocery location, in October.

Brian Williamson of Charles Rutenberg Realty said his company is negotiating with a drug store, and hopes more businesses will move into the center if that deal goes through in 2003.

"We're actually having a difficult time trying to convince grocery stores to come to the center," Williamson said.

Between 20,000 and 30,000 vehicles must pass by an area daily for a grocery to consider opening a store, he said. In Bay Village the daily traffic count is between 8,000 and 9,000 vehicles. Residents said they would not mind a Dairy Queen or similar restaurant moving into in Bay Village but groaned at the prospect of a gas station. When asked for ideas, they suggested a post office, barbershop, fitness center or sporting goods store. One woman suggested a senior citizens' center.

"I don't know what that is," Williamson replied.

The Broadwater Civic Association will hold its annual Christmas social 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at St. Bartholomew's Church, 3747 34th St. S. Those who attend should bring finger food to share. The association will provide drinks and settings, and also collect new, unwrapped toys and financial contributions for the Boys and Girls Clubs.

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