A COURT crackdown on unregistered boats moored on the River Thames has seen 40 owners fined a total of £55,000.
And the Environment Agency warned more patrols are planned to track down non-payers. On the River Thames alone, the agency recorded more than 10,000 boats during a census.
The Environment Agency brought the latest round of enforcement action after its officers discovered a raft of unregistered boats at Penton Hook Marina in Surrey.
The owners had failed to pay registration fees, ignored warnings to register their boats and were ultimately prosecuted.
Fines totalling £55,000 were handed down to 40 owners for similar offences at Staines Magistrates’ Court in October and November,
In the most recent action, the Environment Agency said 25% of boats (125 vessels) at the Surrey marina were unregistered. It said every owner was traced and warned to register the boat or face legal action.
Colin Chiverton, environment manager at the Environment Agency, said: “If you have an unregistered boat on the Thames, you should know that our enforcement teams remain out all winter patrolling the river, checking valid registrations and taking action against those who cheat their fellow boaters.
“As our recent prosecutions clearly demonstrate, we will have no hesitation in bringing further offenders to court who avoid their obligations and responsibilities to lawful river users.”
THE highest charges were issued to Jess Rugeris of Moseley for their boat Le Petit II – more than £3371 including costs, fines, compensation and victim surcharge. Most defendants faced court bills of more than £1000, which included fines, compensation, victim surcharge and costs.
Boat registrations are similar to road tax for vehicles and the money helps the EA maintain 600 miles of waterways under its control in the UK.
Fees are charged based on the width and length of the boat, for example, a 5.7m by 2m wide boat would cost £289.41 per year on the River Thames.
Renewal invitation letters for 2025 registrations on the River Thames were sent in November to everyone who registered their boat this year, and owners were encouraged to register early to ensure their boats were compliant by January 1 when the new season started.
The Environment Agency’s approach to non-registration on the Thames has changed. Boat owners are given ample opportunity to register their boat – however, once a summons has been issued, the EA won’t stop court proceedings, even if the boat owner subsequently pays their registration fee.
