• All were prosecuted for not registering boats they kept on Environment Agency waterways
• They’ve been ordered to pay more than £7,000
• It brings the total of avoided registration charges recovered so far this year by the Agency to over £73,000

Five boaters are facing extra expenses this Christmas after they’ve been ordered to pay more than £7,000 for flouting the law.

They failed to register their vessels, and the Environment Agency is warning other boaters not to do the same or they could face fines, fees and even a criminal conviction.

Boat owners are legally required to register any vessel they keep, use or let for hire on Environment Agency waterways, and to clearly display a valid registration plate.

But William Headen of High Street, Offord Cluny (St Neots), Peter Clare of Brunel Road, Stevenage, Ian McDonald of Riverside Island Marina, Isleham, Kevin Simington of Muir Street, Silvertown (London), and Christopher Smart of Priory Marina, Barkers Lane (Bedford) all failed to do so.

All the cases were proved at Cambridge Magistrates Court on 13 December, except for Mr Smart’s case, which was proved at Luton Magistrates Court on 11 December.

Mr Headen was ordered to pay £1,290, Mr Clare £1212, Mr McDonald £1,778, Mr Simington £1,098 and Mr Smart £1,694 in the next 28 days.

It brings the total of avoided registration charges recouped by the Environment Agency so far this year to £73,000 – money which will be reinvested into maintaining, improving and protecting waterways.

Nathan Arnold, waterways team leader at the Environment Agency, said:

Our waterways are part of our nation’s rich heritage and beauty, and they contribute to our environment, economy and health and wellbeing.

But boaters who break the law by not registering their boats are putting the future of these historic and precious waterways at risk – so we won’t hesitate to take action against them.

As well as not contributing their fair share towards the upkeep of waterways, unregistered boats can be unsafe, hazardous to other river users and a pollution risk to the local environment and wildlife.

The Environment Agency looks after 353 miles of navigable waterways in the Anglian network, which includes the Ancholme, Black Sluice, Glen, Welland, Nene, Great Ouse and Stour, as well as associated locks and navigation facilities like slipways, moorings, showers and toilets.

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 EA on 03708 506 506 or email waterways.enforcementanglian@environment-agency.gov.uk