Environment Agency gets tough on unregistered boats

THE  Environment Agency is getting tough on unregistered boats on the Thames.

It has issued fines to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds to boat owners, Janet Friend reports.

Crackdown still continues

And the crackdown still continues with recently another 26 boat owners who ignored warnings given penalties at Staines Magistrates Court.

This action is in addition to another 14 owners who were fined, bringing the total number of people issued with fines after spot checks up to 40 at and near Penton Hook Marina at Staines, alone. (The owner of the boat in the picture was fined £2,000 with costs.)

Other unregistered boats whose owners did not pay, have been removed from the river and scrapped.

The manager of the Environment Agency in Surrey, told us:

"If you have an unregistered boat on the Thames, you should know that our enforcement teams remain out all winter patrolling the river.

"With our ongoing crackdown this Christmas we urge all Thames boaters to ensure they register their vessels ahead of the new year deadline."

Part of a wider action

These are part of wider action by the agency along the Thames, with several high profile moves to move illegal boats moored near Hampton Court Palace.

The agency is really getting tough on unregistered boats.