The Wrightsville Beach drawbridge is in the up position as boats make their way down the Intracoastal Waterway. StarNews file photo.

Q. How is the Wrightsville Beach Jet-Ski rental company legally allowed to conduct business under the Wrightsville Beach bridge?

“It is a grey area,” explained Wrightsville Beach Town Manager Robert Simpson. “As long as they operate in Public Trust Waters, stay out of the DOT right-of-way, and don’t take money on the Wrightsville Beach side of the bridge, they can legally operate at their current location.”

Interestingly enough, the rental company uses a business license from Wilmington even and has to conduct the actual transactions in Wilmington even though it is right across the bridge.

“There is no private property with access to the water on the Wrightsville side so they have to go across the channel to the Wilmington side,” said Simpson. “That is why they have to have a Wilmington business license for them to operate legally.”

So basically, due to the lack of real estate on Wrightsville that would allow them the opportunity to launch their watercraft, the company advertises on one side of the bridge and does business on the other.

RELATED LINKS:

Should Wrightsville Beach be required to provide parking near parks and elsewhere?

Can golf carts be driven on Wrightsville Beach?

Date posted: September 10, 2012

User-contributed question by:
Ron Hesmer