Seven repeat boat owners have appeared in court for a second time after failing to pay annual Environment Agency registration fees on the non-tidal River Thames. The cases follow patrols at Penton Hook marina and form part of ongoing enforcement action against registration evasion.
Seven reoffending boat owners have faced a second appearance in court after failing to pay their registration fees for consecutive years, prompting the Environment Agency to warn that offenders will continue to be traced and prosecuted.
The cases were heard at Staines Magistrates’ Court, several months after Environment Agency officers patrolling Penton Hook marina on April 1 last year found the vessels moored in neighbouring berths to where registration notices had been served 16 months earlier.
Colin Chiverton, environment manager at the Environment Agency, said the owners had ignored re-registration letters even after their first court appearance. He confirmed that further non-payment had resulted in additional prosecutions, fines and surcharges, adding that continued offending would result in continued enforcement action.
Second-time offender Leslie Marsh, of Chertsey, was fined £500 for his boat Oopsie Daisy and ordered to pay a £200 victim surcharge and £275 in costs. Although the £1,341.81 registration fee was paid before the court date, proceedings continued, as once a summons has been issued the Environment Agency does not halt legal action.
The court also heard that three first-time offenders had failed to pay their annual registration fees, including one owner with two boats. Among them was Klaus Beversluis, owner of La Belle View, a large Dutch barge. The court heard that no registration fee had been paid since ownership transferred to him in 2021. He pleaded guilty, was ordered to pay the 2025 registration fee of £3,664.60, and received a 12-month conditional discharge.
In total, 11 offences resulted in fines and costs amounting to £27,541. Other reoffenders summonsed to court were Brian Harvey of Walton-on-Thames (Sea Dancer), Russell Reed of Wimbledon (Arris’ere), Leah Macfarlane of Woking (Joysee), Duncan Hayward of Chertsey (Maverick III), Gregory O’Mahony of Surbiton (Brienda), and Leslie Vallely of Teddington (View Finder).
The Environment Agency said patrols continue to show high levels of registration evasion in marinas and urban areas along the River Thames. Between January and December, officers carried out 2,447 registration checks, while enforcement action protected £91,439 in registration fees without the need for prosecution.
Mr Chiverton said officers patrol the river year-round, checking marinas and taking action against non-registration. He added that while boat owners are given opportunities to register, once a summons is issued, court action will proceed even if payment is made later.
Earlier in 2025, officers discovered 12 unregistered vessels during spot checks at Bossoms Boat Yard in Oxford, Caversham, and Walton Marina. These cases are due to be heard in court later this year.
Although Environment Agency officers carried out more than 2,000 checks this year, additional checks by lock keepers brought the total to 4,030. All owners of powered and non-powered boats, including paddleboards, must register annually for use on the non-tidal River Thames. Registration opens on January 1 each year, and boats found unregistered after that date may be liable to a fine.
During a river-wide census in September 2025, Environment Agency officers recorded 10,147 boats on the navigation.
Boat registration fees fund the management and maintenance of more than 600 miles of inland waterways in England. Boats can be registered by calling 03708 506 506.
