Unlicenced boaters prosecuted

UNLICENSED boaters, some of whom who choose to winter on the Cam around Cambridge, have been prosecuted and brought before Cambridge Magistrates.

The first batch saw four boaters in court for failing to licence their boats for use on the Cam even though all had received warnings of prosecution from Cam Conservators, the licensing authority, Alan Tilbury reports.

The culprits

Frank Cooke, moored his wide beam Mirth at Jesus Green, failed to attend court, and was fined £100 in his absence, plus the outstanding fee of £653.24 plus £150 costs.

Another wide beam owner, Bjorn Martinsen, of Dream On, who moors at Fen Ditton attended the hearing and pleaded guilty. He was made the subject of a compensation order in the sum of £697.34 for the licence with £100 costs.

Andrew Drewett, this time owner of the cruiser, Another World, moored at Riverside, Cambridge, also failed to attend, with the case proved against him. He was fined £100 with a compensation order of £271.81 for the licence and £150 costs.

Christopher Reid, owner of narrowboat Pug, attended the court hearing and pleaded guilty. He was made the subject of a compensation order for the sum of £621.41 and ordered to pay costs of £150.

A clear message

Of the results of the court hearings, River Manager, Philippa Noon exclaimed:

"These convictions send out a clear message that boat owners must register promptly and ensure that their vessels comply with our safety standards. Owners with issues affecting their registration should make early contact with us to discuss a way forward. Avoidance is not an option."

It would seem that boaters caught without the proper licence on the Cam, should attend court and plead guilty, which at least saves them a £100 fine.