Swansboro tattoos

The quaint, historic waterfront of Swansboro tattoos offers visitors plenty to do. History buffs can learn about local legend Captain Otway Burns, who served as an American privateer during the War of 1812. Water lovers will enjoy paddling up and down the Intracoastal Waterway or cruising down the White Oak River. And those who prefer to be on dry land can explore the area's eclectic shops and restaurants set inside architecturally interesting buildings.

But it's the waterfront that really draws people to this friendly city by the sea. The town hugs the shoreline of Bogue Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean and is surrounded by miles of pristine beaches. Tourists can soak up the sun and relax on the beach or walk a waterfront boardwalk that stretches to Bicentennial Park, where water views are everywhere.

During a city council meeting, residents and business owners spoke out against a proposal to require tattoo and piercing businesses to meet license requirements such as obtaining a $1 million liability insurance policy, keeping merchandise and activities out of sight from the public and not hiring people who have recently been convicted of felonies. Ernie Hussey of Morehead City said the proposed requirements reminded him of a dictatorship and that he supports the right to free enterprise.

A registered sanitarian and former environmental health specialist for the Onslow County Health Department, Richard Phelps, also took issue with the proposed requirements. He said there are already state health requirements in place and that the city should not create additional regulations, which he says would put many of the city's tattoo parlors out of business. The city is expected to take a second look at the requirements before voting on them.