LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
Environment Agency Press Release 5 March 2010 – SS/039/10
A Buckinghamshire boater will have to pay out over £4,600 after being prosecuted for failing to navigate a boat at a safe speed and without due care and caution along the River Thames.
Mark Lancaster of Oxford Road, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, was found guilty by Maidenhead Magistrates Court today, (Friday 5 March) for navigating a speed boat at an unsafe speed without due care to other people, boats and wildlife. He was fined £500 and also ordered to pay £4,026 compensation to a boat owner whose craft suffered damage as a direct result of the excessive speed.
Maidenhead Magistrates’ Court heard that in August 2009 Mr Lancaster had been navigating his boat the “Royal T” between Boveney Lock and Ruddles Pool, when it was driven at such a speed that it caused extensive damage to a nearby boat, inconvenienced other boaters, and endangered the safety of other river-users.
Waterways operation manager for the Environment Agency, Andrew Graham, said: “We are pleased with the fines that have been handed out following this prosecution. Driving without due care and caution is not tolerated on the River Thames and I am pleased that this incident was reported. The witnesses were extremely concerned for their moored boats and their personal safety.”
Waves created by the speeding boat caused other vessels on the River Thames to move dangerously in the water. The owner of a boat that hit the river bed as a consequence of the waves, causing costly engine damage, was awarded £4,026 compensation.
Mr Graham added: “Excessive wash caused by speeding boats is not only dangerous to people navigating smaller crafts, but also causes bank erosion, subsequent bank destabilisation, and is harmful to aquatic life and nesting birds. I hope this incident serves to remind boat owners that speeding can be a costly mistake.”
Mr Lancaster pleaded guilty by post, he was fined £500, asked to pay prosecution costs of £60, and compensation amounting to £4026.96 for the owner of a boat damaged in the incident. A victim surcharge of £15 was also ordered by the Court.
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Rules of navigation for all boats:
· The maximum speed for power driven boats upstream of Teddington is 8km per hour (approx 5 miles per hour).
· Obey the rules of the navigation byelaws - contact us to request a copy.
· All boats must be registered and licensed with the Environment Agency.
· Steer on the right hand side where it is safe and practical.
· Avoid turning your boat near bridges, bends and locks. Do not turn across the bows of oncoming boats; wait until it's safe.
· Keep a sharp look out at all times for any hazards, taking action when necessary. If in doubt, slow down or stop.
· Always take care when overtaking and keep clear of other boats.
· Near bridges or sharp bends, boats going upstream must give way to boats coming downstream.
Other navigation tips
· Always keep a good distance from anglers on the riverbank. Avoid their tackle and create as little disturbance as possible.
· It is safer for unpowered boats to enter the lock last.
· Powered boats should slow down and maintain a steady course when approaching rowing boats, canoes, sailing boats, swimmers and sub-aqua divers.
========================================================
All media enquiries: 0118 953 5555
Please ask for the duty press officer
Environment Agency news releases, both national and regional, can be found on its web site: www.environment-agency.gov.uk
A Buckinghamshire boater will have to pay out over £4,600 after being prosecuted for failing to navigate a boat at a safe speed and without due care and caution along the River Thames.
Mark Lancaster of Oxford Road, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, was found guilty by Maidenhead Magistrates Court today, (Friday 5 March) for navigating a speed boat at an unsafe speed without due care to other people, boats and wildlife. He was fined £500 and also ordered to pay £4,026 compensation to a boat owner whose craft suffered damage as a direct result of the excessive speed.
Maidenhead Magistrates’ Court heard that in August 2009 Mr Lancaster had been navigating his boat the “Royal T” between Boveney Lock and Ruddles Pool, when it was driven at such a speed that it caused extensive damage to a nearby boat, inconvenienced other boaters, and endangered the safety of other river-users.
Waterways operation manager for the Environment Agency, Andrew Graham, said: “We are pleased with the fines that have been handed out following this prosecution. Driving without due care and caution is not tolerated on the River Thames and I am pleased that this incident was reported. The witnesses were extremely concerned for their moored boats and their personal safety.”
Waves created by the speeding boat caused other vessels on the River Thames to move dangerously in the water. The owner of a boat that hit the river bed as a consequence of the waves, causing costly engine damage, was awarded £4,026 compensation.
Mr Graham added: “Excessive wash caused by speeding boats is not only dangerous to people navigating smaller crafts, but also causes bank erosion, subsequent bank destabilisation, and is harmful to aquatic life and nesting birds. I hope this incident serves to remind boat owners that speeding can be a costly mistake.”
Mr Lancaster pleaded guilty by post, he was fined £500, asked to pay prosecution costs of £60, and compensation amounting to £4026.96 for the owner of a boat damaged in the incident. A victim surcharge of £15 was also ordered by the Court.
========================================================
Rules of navigation for all boats:
· The maximum speed for power driven boats upstream of Teddington is 8km per hour (approx 5 miles per hour).
· Obey the rules of the navigation byelaws - contact us to request a copy.
· All boats must be registered and licensed with the Environment Agency.
· Steer on the right hand side where it is safe and practical.
· Avoid turning your boat near bridges, bends and locks. Do not turn across the bows of oncoming boats; wait until it's safe.
· Keep a sharp look out at all times for any hazards, taking action when necessary. If in doubt, slow down or stop.
· Always take care when overtaking and keep clear of other boats.
· Near bridges or sharp bends, boats going upstream must give way to boats coming downstream.
Other navigation tips
· Always keep a good distance from anglers on the riverbank. Avoid their tackle and create as little disturbance as possible.
· It is safer for unpowered boats to enter the lock last.
· Powered boats should slow down and maintain a steady course when approaching rowing boats, canoes, sailing boats, swimmers and sub-aqua divers.
========================================================
All media enquiries: 0118 953 5555
Please ask for the duty press officer
Environment Agency news releases, both national and regional, can be found on its web site: www.environment-agency.gov.uk
