EA gets tough on unregistered boaters
THE Environmental Agency is getting tough—very tough—on unregistered boaters.
Nine boaters across the Anglian region have been fined a total of over £9,000 between them for not registering their boats, Alan Tilbury reports.
BWML Priory Marina
At Bedford Magistrates Court two boaters at BWML Priory Marina were both heavily fined.
Howard Kirtley was ordered to pay £1,149.24 after his boat was found unregistered at Priory Marina. He pleaded guilty.
Also in Bedford, Jessica Ibbotson, of Spencer Road, Bedford, was ordered to pay £1,014.24 after her boat was found unregistered, also at Priory Marina. She pleaded guilty.
On River Greart Ouse
At Cambridge Magistrates Court David Campion of Oxford Street, Finedon, was ordered to pay £1,204.24 after his boat Dancing Foam was found unregistered at Buckden Marina on the River Great Ouse.
At Northampton Magistrates Court Martin Jewkes of Aspley Way, Peterborough was fined £123 plus costs and compensation of £644.51 for his unregistered vessel Domino.
Also at Northampton Magistrates Court Suzanna Sutton, of West Street, Peterborough, faced a £1,153 fine after pleading guilty by post.
Nine boaters
Altogether nine boaters were taken to various magistrates courts totalling over £9,000 in penalties.
The Environment Agency is warning other boaters who fail to register their boats could face thousands of pounds in penalties, walk away with a criminal record, and even have their boats permanently confiscated.
£97,650
So far this financial year, enforcement action against unregistered boaters has resulted in a total of £97,650.
The Agency even encourages whistle-blowers, by stating that if you suspect a boat is illegal, contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 or email