BOATERS from across the region have been prosecuted for keeping their crafts on waterways without registering them with the Environment Agency.

The boaters received fines ranging from �175 to �350 and were each ordered to pay court costs of �115.

Two boat owners were caught on the River Nene without a valid registration certificate.

William Hamill, of Eskdale Avenue, Corby, Northamptonshire, and Ken Lewis, of High Street, Thurlby, Bourne, were both fined �175.

Another three boaters were caught on the River Great Ouse and had their cases heard at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on 26 January 2011.

Candy Reed, Waterways Team Leader, said: “Failing to register a boat just does not pay – people risk being prosecuted and fined up to �1,000 for each offence, and ending up with a criminal record.”

All boats kept, let for hire or used on Environment Agency waterways, including the main river, private moorings, marinas or backwaters, must be registered. Registration discs must be displayed on craft so they are clearly visible to enforcement staff.

It is the owner’s responsibility to inform the Environment Agency in writing of a change in ownership of the boat – until this is done, they remain the legal owner and responsible for registering it.

From 1 April 2011, all powered boats must have valid third party insurance, to a minimum value of one million pounds, as well as a valid Boat Safety Scheme Certificate (BSSC) to be able to register.

For more advice on how to register a boat, contact the Environment Agency’s Boat Registration Team on 0845 60 70 330.