Substantial fines have been handed out to eight boat owners for keeping their vessels on waterways without registering them.

Five charges were heard at magistrates courts in Peterborough on October 7, one at Scunthorpe on October 14 and two at King’s Lynn on October 21.

The offenders were ordered to pay fines totalling £3,270 and costs totalling £1,900.

On all six occasions, the Environment Agency’s river inspectors say they saw the vessels moored up without displaying the necessary license.

•Nathan Arnold, an Environment Agency waterways manager, said: “Failing to register a vessel just does not pay. Not only do people risk being prosecuted and fined up to £1,000, but they still have to pay their registration fee and could end up with a criminal record.”

•John Cowell from Blackhorse Drove, Littleport, Ely had avoided a registration fee of £78.98 for his vessel ‘Wot Appened’ which was found moored on the River Great Ouse, at Black Horse Drove, Littleport, on May 21.

Cowell pleaded guilty by post and was fined £60, ordered to pay costs of £150, court charge of £150 and victim surcharge of £20.

•Julie MacFarlane of Upware Marina, Old School Lane, Upware, Ely had avoided the registration fee of £878.71 for her vessel ‘MacFarlans Lantern’ which was found moored on the River Old West at Lazy Otter, on May 14.

The charge was proved in her absence and she was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £250, court charge of £150 and victim surcharge of £100.

•Alan Farmer from Victoria Street, Littleport, Ely had avoided a registration fee of £444.99 for his vessel ‘Munchkin I’ which was found moored on the River Great Ouse at Littleport, on May 21.

The charge was proved in his absence.

Farmer was fined £550 and ordered to pay costs of £250, court charge of £150 and victim surcharge of £55.

•Christopher Bayley from Isleham Marina, Fen Bank, Isleham, Ely, had avoided the registration fee of £343.98 for his vessel ‘Rhythm Divine’ which was found moored on the River Lark at Riverside Island Marina, Isleham on May 16.

The charge was proved in his absence.

Bayley was fined £350 and ordered to pay costs £250, court charge of £150, victim surcharge of £35.

•Lisa Chejecki from Lisburn Road, Newmarket, had avoided a registration fee of £444.99 for her vessel ‘Hideaway’ which was found moored on the River Cam at Fish N Duck Marina, on May 13.

The charge was proved in her absence.

Chejecki was fined £450 and ordered to pay costs of £250, court charge of £150, victim surcharge of £45.

•Martin Chapman from Chiltern Crescent, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire had avoided a registration fee of £304.39 for his vessel ‘Hi Fidelity’ which was found moored on the Old River Ancholme at Glanford Boat Club,North Lincolnshire on May 29.

The charge was proved in his absence.

Chapman was fined £660 and ordered to pay costs of £250, court charge of £150 and victim surcharge of £66.

•Steffany Keane from Station Road, Great Ryburgh, Fakenham had avoided a registration fee of £343.98 for her vessel ‘Smudja’ which was found moored on the River Wissey at Hilgay, Norfolk on May 27.

Keane pleaded guilty by post and was fined £100 and ordered to pay costs of £250, court charge of £150 and victim surcharge of £20.

•Christopher Rose from Setch Road, Blackborough End, Kings Lynn had avoided a registration fee of £145.38 for his vessel ‘Buster’ which was found moored on the River Wissey at Hilgay, Norfolk on May 27.

Rose pleaded guilty in court and was fined £100 and ordered to pay costs of £250, court charge of £150 and victim surcharge of £20.