BOAT operators have been putting themselves forward to run a new water taxi service that a Sandys hotel wants to launch this spring.

Georgina Duncan, of Cambridge Beaches, said a recent advertisement in The Royal Gazette had prompted a lot of interest.

"We have been quite surprised at how good the response has been," Ms Duncan, personal assistant to hotel owner Michael Winfield, said.

"Many are Bermudian boat owners looking for something different to do and a way of earning some income from their boat.

"We've also been approached by the Bermuda Wooden Boat Society, which is dedicated to preserving old Bermuda wooden boats and refurbishing them."

The hotel had come up with the water taxi idea to respond to queries from guests who wanted to travel to destinations around the island by boat.

"We do offer a ferry service for our guests three times a week, but we wanted to offer the opportunity for people to go wherever they want by boat," Ms Duncan said. "For example, they might want to go by boat to the Waterlot, Dockyard or even to St. George's.

"We realised that, being in Somerset, we needed to offer our guests an alternative mode of transport, especially in the high season when the taxis are really busy.

"Water taxis are an ideal solution. They are not only scenic and educational, but they're also fun."

Ms Duncan said the hotel was seeking someone capable of running the service with a boat that complied with safety standards to carry a maximum of six passengers.

She added that the idea had been under discussion for many years and had attracted the interest of the Transport and Tourism Ministry.

Cambridge Beaches is studying proposals received so far and hopes to launch the service this May.

The hotel is still open to offers. Anyone interested should call Ms Duncan on 234-0331, extension 284, or send an e-mail to pacambeach.bm.