BOAT rage has broken out among crowds flocking to see Randy the dolphin.

Thousands of people descended on Chesil Cove, Portland, during the weekend determined to swim with the area's latest tourist attraction.

But scuffles broke out as numerous boats manoeuvred to get as close to Randy as possible and experts fear that they are in danger of killing the friendly mammal.

They have already warned that he has been struck by boat propellers and now fear that he risks being fatally injured by the dozens of vessels bringing people to the cove.

Hundreds of people lined the beach at the cove during the bank holiday weekend to watch Randy, who is also known as Georges.

But the appearance of the friendly adult bottlenose, who arrived from the Channel Islands a month ago, was all too much for some people.

Local dolphin expert Jenny Alexander, who lives in Wyke Regis, Weymouth, said she saw several boat owners arguing with each other about who should be allowed to swim with the dolphin.

She said boats were putting swimmers and the dolphin in danger by going so close to shore and branded the owners "irresponsible".

"I saw a number of boats act very irresponsibly and it could have turned really nasty. Most of them were not from the area. One owner was very abusive to people trying to get him to switch his engine off. It has got to stop or Randy will be killed," she said.

She added that Randy had played with two other dolphins recently but quickly reverted to his usual lone behaviour.

"Randy does not display usual dolphin behaviour and he needs help. He has been seen with another couple of dolphins but he left them virtually straight away," she said.

A vet is due to inspect Randy today, who has a damaged fin and is blind in one eye, although Jenny maintains the dolphin should be moved to a safer place to prevent his stay ending in tears.

"Ric O'Barry, who is the top marine mammal expert in the world, took a lot of stick when he said Randy should be airlifted to somewhere safer, but he is right. He's transported hundreds of dolphins over the years and not one has died on him, so he knows what he's talking about," she added.

She believes a move to a sheltered bay in France would be ideal.

"It's not good just dumping him on someone else, but at the same time he needs to be somewhere safe and Weymouth and Portland is just not safe for him," she said.

The Cove House Inn, overlooking Chesil Cove, reported a busy weekend and put their boosted trade solely down to Randy.

Barman Mick Pridmore said: "We've had stacks of people come in from all parts of the country who have come down to see Randy. He has really boosted our trade and hopefully he will stay here for as long as possible."

He added that the pub displayed a number of posters showing how to behave around Randy. Boat owners should maintain a steady course and travel at a slow 'no wake' speed. Experts advise against close contact.