Unregistered boats on River Thames: fines and costs total £18,000
Unlicensed boat owners have been fined a total of £18,000 after being caught on the River Thames, figures show.
The Environment Agency (EA) said 27 boats were caught operating without a valid boat safety scheme (BSS) certificate in the past year.
The EA said the BSS certificate “ensures boats meet a minimum safety standard” and helps to prevent pollution.
The figures come as the agency warns boat owners to ensure they have the correct documentation and safety equipment before taking to the water.
The BSS certificate is a legal requirement for all boats over 20 feet (6 meters) long that are used on inland waterways in the UK.
The certificate is valid for four years and costs £120.
The EA said the 27 boats that were caught without a valid BSS certificate were fined £600 each.
In addition, the owners were ordered to pay costs of £1,000 each.
The EA said it is “committed to ensuring that all boats operating on the River Thames are safe and do not pose a risk to the environment”.
The agency said it is “carrying out regular patrols to check that boats have the correct documentation and safety equipment”.
The EA is urging boat owners to “make sure they have the correct documentation and safety equipment before taking to the water”.
The agency said it is also “working with boatyards and marinas to raise awareness of the BSS certificate”.
The BSS certificate is issued by the British Marine Federation (BMF).
The BMF said the certificate “is a valuable tool for ensuring that boats are safe and well-maintained”.
The BMF said it is “working with the EA to raise awareness of the BSS certificate and to ensure that all boats operating on the River Thames are safe”.
Unregistered boats on River Thames: fines and costs total £18,000
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