Unlicenced Boat Owners fined over £2000.

Two River Thames’ boat owners have been fined a total of £2,167 for not having a valid licence for their boats despite warnings. The EA’s patrol officers plan to have checked every boat on the non-tidal River Thames by the end of the year.

Godstow Lock on the River Thames

Dan Andersson of Reading was ordered to pay a total of £899 at Reading Magistrates’ Court for failing to apply for a boat registration. His boat Layanensis was seen on 21 March 2012 at Crane Wharf on the River Kennet, near Blakes Lock without a valid registration displayed and was booked for being unregistered.  Mr Andersson was made aware he needed to comply but failed to do so. Felipe Kamaxo of Wraysbury, Staines was ordered to pay a total of £1267.95 at Staines Magistrates’ Court as his vessel Nostalgia was being used without a valid registration. His boat was travelling through Bell Weir Lock on 2 June 2012 when the lock keeper discussed the need for registration with Mr Kamaxo. He admitted he just “didn’t get round to do it” and received the information on how to apply and a notice period.  Despite this, his boat was never registered.

Julie Cottrell, Environment Agency (EA) Waterways Technical officer said, “The registration is imperative for the upkeep of the non-tidal Thames. It is used to improve and maintain the navigation and lock structures as well as providing facilities such as sewage disposal, water points & electricity charging points. By not complying, the revenue lost is damaging the future of these waterways.”

Thanks to Harry Arnold & Waterway Images for this report.