 Christchurch Council is reminding users of Christchurch Harbour and the rivers in the Borough of the four knots speed limit, following two convictions against people caught exceeding these limits. At around 6.35pm on 18 August 2009 a rib was seen by the Council’s patrol boat, which was jointly crewed by a police constable and a Council crewman, making its way from Town Quay towards Tuckton Bridge at an estimated speed of 15 knots. It weaved its way through numerous vessels, leaving a wake which caused a number of sailing boats to rock violently from side to side. It then increased its speed to around 20 knots before slowing down and being stopped by the patrol boat. The rib was being driven by Alexander Simpson, aged 18, of Rosemary Road, Pokesdown. At around 7.40pm the same evening Sam Lloyd, aged 21, of Florence Road, Boscombe, was caught heading through Christchurch Harbour on a rib at an estimated speed of 20 knots. When he saw the patrol boat, Mr Lloyd dropped his speed but was stopped and cautioned. Both cases have been brought to court at East Dorset Magistrates Court, with the defendants both pleading and being found guilty of exceeding the speed limit in Christchurch Harbour. Mr Simpson was fined £650 with £465 costs while Mr Lloyd was fined £600 with £487 costs. One of the defendants has appealed against the fine. Gary Foyle, Senior Beaches & Open Spaces Officer at Christchurch Council, said: “These two convictions show that we are serious about prosecuting anyone who puts the safety of others at risk. In both of these cases there were a number of other small craft in the vicinity and the bright low sunlight would have made it difficult to see other users clearly. “Christchurch Council has just taken possession of a new slightly-larger patrol boat equipped with a GPS system which will make it even easier to follow craft behaving unlawfully and track their movements.” The new patrol boat replaces one which was nine years old. The normal life for these boats is six years, but its life was extended due to good maintenance and handling. |
