Four Thames boaters ordered to pay over £4k for navigating around fees

02-Jul-2013

Four boaters have been ordered to pay a total of £4,208 at Cheltenham Magistrates Court on Monday for keeping their vessels on the River Thames near Lechlade without valid registrations.

Vessels belonging to each of the four men were seen on October 19, 2012 at Lechlade Marina and Round House Moorings, Lechlade on the River Thames without valid registration plates displayed. Each vessel was booked for being unregistered and the owners made aware they needed to comply. Each man failed to respond.

Timothy Lloyd of Leatherham House in Downington, Lechlade, pleaded guilty by post to failing to display a valid registration plate on his vessel Booz Crooz and was ordered to pay a total of £953. He was fined £600, ordered to pay compensation to the Environment Agency in respect of the unpaid registration fee of £233, prosecution costs of £60 and a victim surcharge of £60.

Ray Thomas of Restrop View, in Swindon, also pleaded guilty by post to failing to display a valid registration plate on his vessel White Spirit lll and was ordered to pay a total of £1,070. He was fined £600, ordered to pay compensation to the Environment Agency in respect of the unpaid registration fee of £350, prosecution costs of £60 and a victim surcharge of £60.

Peter Webb of Iffley Road in Swindon pleaded guilty by post to failing to display a valid registration plate on his boat Columbine and was ordered to pay a total of £800. He was fined £400, ordered to pay compensation to the Environment Agency in respect of the unpaid registration fee of £300, prosecution costs of £60 and a victim surcharge of £40.

Dean Murphy of Cambria Place, Swindon, was found guilty in his absence of failing to display a valid registration plate on his boat Tachus and was ordered to pay a total of £1,385. He was fined £1000, ordered to pay compensation to the Environment Agency in respect of the unpaid registration fee of £200, prosecution costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £100.

The legislation, the Inland Waterways Order 2010 (IWO), was introduced in  April 2011 and requires all vessels 'kept' on the river Thames, not just 'used', to be registered with the Environment Agency and  display a valid annual boat registration plate (similar to a vehicle tax disc).
Nick McKie Smith, Environment Agency Enforcement Manager said: “Owners of boats not displaying valid registration plates could face prosecution, so it is important that they are aware of and adhere to this requirement. Ignorance is not an excuse.”

“The registration fee 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 and water and electricity charging points. By not complying, boaters damage the future of this great waterway.”

Information and advice on how to purchase a boat registration can be found on our website at: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/129937.aspx