Unregistered boaters sunk by stiff penalties in Northamptonshire
Each of 7 boaters pays hefty fine and court costs for failing to register their vessels.
Seven boat owners in Northamptonshire have been fined a joint total of nearly £5,500 at Wellingborough Magistrates Court for not registering their vessels.
They were also ordered pay a collective total of almost £5,550 in compensation and nearly £550 in victim surcharges during the hearing on 8 June 2021.
Sam Banham of Glamis Close, Rushden, Kettering, was found guilty in his absence after the vessel ‘Omega’ was found unregistered at Willy Watt Marina on the River Nene in Northamptonshire. He was fined £920 and ordered to pay £250 in costs and £905.19 in compensation plus a victim surcharge of £92.
Robert Walters of Blackthorn Lake Marina, Station Road, Ringstead, Kettering, was also found guilty in his absence after his boat ‘Camelot’ was found unregistered at Blackthorn Lake Marina on the River Nene. He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £250, compensation of £1,015.40 and a victim surcharge of £100.
Robert Todd, also of Blackthorn Lake Marina in Ringstead, was found guilty in his absence after the vessel ‘Beulah’ was found unregistered at Blackthorn Lake Marina on the River Nene. He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £250, compensation of £1,015.40 and a victim surcharge £100.
Martin Neale of High Street, Scaldwell, Northampton, entered a guilty plea by post after his boat ‘Indulgence’ was found unregistered at Willy Watt Marina on the River Nene. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay costs of £250, compensation of £397.51 and a victim surcharge of £34.
Andrew MacGilliuray of Kestrel Lane, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, was found guilty in his absence after his vessels ‘Big Dee II’ and ‘Xanadu’ were found unregistered at Willy Watt Marina on the River Nene. He was fined £800 and ordered to pay costs of £250, compensation of £795.02 and a victim surcharge of £80.
Clive Ely of Blackthorn Lake Marina, Station Road, Ringstead, Kettering, was found guilty in his absence after his boat Elsie was found unregistered at Blackthorn Lake Marina on the River Nene. He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £250, compensation of £1,015.40 and a victim surcharge of £100.
Jonathan Butler of The Sidings, Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, pleaded guilty by post after his boat ‘Kigu’ was found unregistered at Blackthorn Lake Marina on the River Nene. He was fined £400 and ordered to pay costs of £250, compensation of £397.51 and a victim surcharge of £40.
Nathan Arnold, Environment Agency Waterways Team Leader, said:
We hope these penalties will serve as a reminder to all boaters that they must ensure that their vessels are properly registered at all times.
The funds generated by boat registration enable the Environment Agency to provide the services that boaters expect on the waterways.
More information about boating and waterways, including registering vessels, is available from the Environment Agency.
If you suspect a boat is illegal, please contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 or email waterways.enforcementanglian@environment-agency.gov.uk.