Unregistered boats on River Thames: fines and costs total 拢18,000
Clear warning to unregistered boat owners on the Thames as owners failed to register their boats despite warnings. More to face court in coming months
Le Bateau De Bois is owned Somerset boater David Harding, forced to pay more than 拢1,000 in compensation and costs
Staines magistrates鈥� court had a busy day on 22 October as 14 owners were sentenced to pay more than 拢18,000 for failing to register their boats for use on the River Thames.
Environment Agency enforcement officers discovered these vessels during spot checks in December 2023 at Penton Hook Marina in Surrey. The inspection showed unacceptably high levels of registration evasion with a quarter of the boats in the marina, around 125 vessels, failing to have been registered. Every boat-owner was traced and given ample warning and opportunity to register their boats correctly.
The court was told that all owners had skipped the annual registration fee, determined by the length and width of the boat. A couple of them had skipped it twice. Duncan Heyward and Tony Davies, both of Chertsey, were found guilty of owning two unregistered vessels and had to pay compensation accordingly.
The highest charges were issued to Drystan Brod of Battersea for his boat, Lindum 鈥� more than 拢2,300 including costs, fines, compensation and victim surcharge. Full details of all fines below.
Colin Chiverton, environment manager for Surrey at the Environment Agency, said:
This was a great day for the majority of Thames boat-owners who register their vessel with us every year. Just like us, they鈥檙e fed up with seeing this unlawful behaviour take place on the river every year. We鈥檙e pleased with this outcome, and it sends a clear warning to all unregistered boat owners 鈥� it鈥檚 just not worth the risk.
At the end of November, we have another day in court with a further 14 owners facing the music. So, if you have an unregistered boat on the Thames, you should know that our enforcement teams are still out in October, patrolling the river and checking for valid registrations.
Renewal invitation letters for 2025 registrations on the River Thames are to be sent in November to everyone that registered their boat this year and owners are encouraged to register early to ensure their boats are compliant by 1 January, when the new season starts. The Environment Agency鈥檚 approach to non-registration on the Thames has changed 鈥� boat-owners are given ample opportunity to register their boat. However, once a summons has been issued, it won鈥檛 stop court proceedings, even if the boat owner subsequently pays their registration fee.
Similar to excise duty for road vehicles, boat registration fees allow the Environment Agency to manage and maintain more than 600 miles of inland waterways across England, keeping them open and safe for thousands of boaters to enjoy.
Background:
Owners of powered or non-powered boats, including paddleboards, must register their boats annually with the Environment Agency for use on the non-tidal River Thames.
Boat registration on the Thames starts on 1 January every year. Any boats found on the water after that date, without having registered, may be liable to a fine.
In mid-September 2024 during a river wide census, Environment Agency officers recorded the locations of 10,890 boats on the river.
Boats can be registered by calling 03708 506 506 or going to
Offender/age/address/boat[s]/pleas/compensation order/costs/victim surcharge/fine
Des Higgins, 64, of Graham Court, Northolt, Middlesex, PRINCESS BURFORD. Pleaded not guilty then changed plea at court to guilty. 拢803.60. 拢250. 拢80. 拢120.
Stephen Hale, 54, of Bridge Court, Chertsey, Surrey. LADY RUTH. Found guilty in absence. 拢994.14. 拢275. 拢88. 拢220.
Drystan Brod, 50, of Birley Street, Battersea, London. LINDUM. Found guilty in absence. 拢1724.00. 拢275. 拢88. 拢220.
Duncan Hayward, 40, of Hill Rise, Richmond, Surrey. MAVERICK III/TT MAVERICK III. Found guilty in absence - 2 offences. 拢1065.15/拢23.20. 拢275/nil. 拢24/nil. 拢60/NSP
Mark Geeson, 53, of Gaston Way, Shepperton, Middlesex. PORTIA. Found guilty in absence. 拢970.47. 拢275. 拢88. 拢220
Tony Davies, 70, of St Annes Road, Chertsey, Surrey. BULTRUG/REDWATCH. Pleaded guilty at court 鈥� 2 offences. 拢923.13/拢887.64. 拢250/nil. Nil/nil. No separate penalty/NSP.
Andrew Graham, 53, 聽of Wellington Terrace, Basingstoke, Hampshire. BUSTAROON. Found guilty in absence. 拢757.44. 拢275. 拢88. 拢220.
Hugo Handford, of Chichester Road, West Wittering, West Sussex. DAJA. Found guilty in absence. 拢331.00. 拢275. 拢88. 拢220.
Tim Cartwright, 64, of Elder Road, Bisley, Surrey. CHARLIE BEN. Found guilty in absence. 拢678.44. 拢275. 拢88. 拢220.
Brian Harvey, 60, of Queens Road, Hersham, Surrey. SEA DANCER. Found guilty in absence. 拢520.74. 拢275. 拢88. 拢220.
Scott Cole, 52, of Grafton Road, Acton, London. ALKYON. Found guilty in absence. 拢284.04. 拢275. 拢88. 拢220.
Lee Davis, 49, of Meadow View, Chertsey, Surrey. TUBS. Found guilty in absence. 拢473.40. 拢275. 拢88. 拢220.
Maciej Firla-Cuchra, 49, of The Broadway, Laleham, Surrey. JEWNA. Found guilty in absence. 拢426.06. 拢275. 拢88. 拢220.
David Harding, 73, of Easton, Wells, Somerset. Le BATEAU DE BOIS. Pleaded not guilty, then changed plea at court to guilty. 拢736.02. 拢275. Nil. NSP.
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Updates to this page
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Changed the caption on the photo of the boat to the correct name and owner.
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First published.