Ashford Boat Owner Ripped Up Thames Registration Rules
Leighton Lewis from Ashford, Middlesex, has been nailed for running his 18-foot cruiser, The One That Got Away, on the River Thames without proper registration. Despite repeated warnings, Lewis flouted the law and skipped out on the mandatory fees.
Ignored Warnings and Letters
During routine checks at Walton-on-Thames in July 2019, Environment Agency officers found Lewis’s boat unregistered. They slapped a warning notice on board, demanding he register within 14 days. But Lewis didn’t budge.
One month later, in August 2019, officials caught the boat still unregistered and moored in the same spot. They sent Lewis a stern letter giving him a final week to get his paperwork sorted or face legal action. Still, he ignored the ultimatum.
What’s the Fuss with Boat Registration?
- Boat registration fees cost £186.39 a year, based on the vessel’s size.
- The funds help the Environment Agency maintain over 600 miles of inland waterways across England.
- They ensure rivers stay open, safe, and enjoyable for thousands of boating enthusiasts.
Nick McKie-Smith, waterways enforcement manager for the Environment Agency, hit the nail on the head: “You can’t dodge vehicle duty on the road, so why ignore registration on the river? It’s vital for keeping our waterways in top shape.”
Fined and Furious
Leighton Lewis was tried in absentia at Guildford Magistrates’ Court on 9 March 2020. He was found guilty of breaching the Environment Agency (Inland Waterways) Order 2010. The punishment? A £400 fine, £85 costs, and the unpaid registration fee of £186.39 for 2019.
Boaters take note: the Environment Agency is cracking down on dodgers. Don’t risk fines – keep your craft legal, or you’ll be paying a hefty price.
