A boat owner from Ashford, Middlesex, has been fined for failing to register his cruiser for use on the River Thames despite receiving multiple warnings. Leighton Lewis’s 18-foot boat, named The One That Got Away, was found unregistered during a routine Environment Agency check at Walton-on-Thames last summer.
In July 2019, navigation officers issued a warning notice to Lewis, requiring him to register the boat within 14 days. Using or renting out an unregistered vessel on UK waterways is a criminal offence. However, Lewis did not pay the £186.39 annual registration fee corresponding to the size of his boat.
A month later, officers found the cruiser still unregistered and moored in the same location. The Environment Agency then sent a second stern letter, giving Lewis seven days to comply or face court action. He ignored this warning as well.
Boat registration fees are essential for maintaining and ensuring the safety of over 600 miles of inland waterways across England, similar to road tax for cars. Nick McKie-Smith, the Environment Agency’s waterways enforcement chief, stated: “You can’t avoid vehicle duty on the road, so why on the river? Boat fees keep our waterways open and safe, helping river-lovers and boating businesses alike.”
Lewis was tried in his absence at Guildford Magistrates’ Court on 9 March 2020. He was found guilty of breaching the Environment Agency (Inland Waterways) Order 2010. The court imposed a £400 fine, £85 in costs, plus the unpaid registration fee for 2019.
Boat owners are reminded that skipping registration is not worth the risk. The River Thames regulations are strictly enforced, and fines for non-compliance are substantial.
Originally published by UKNIP.
