RIB charter fiasco

[codprawn]

You went about it all wrong - should have kept the boat!!! If they have things to hide i don't think they would have bothered taking you to court...........

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by SteveHall

Went well in court - Don't want to say to much on the public forum.

If it's all over, then presumably the result is a matter of public record.

I'm sure that lots of people would be interested to hear the outcome, especially given the amount of recent discussion about properly coding and operating charter boats.

John

[Jimbob]

Steve sorry to here your bad experience,

As people have said it gives charters a bad name and there are many good ones...

I have spent loads on money getting the Boat to MCA coding and would not dream of letting it go out unless it was tip top.

I have not had any bad press to date, am i feel that if you have paid good money then you derseve a good and enjoyable time.

[SteveHall]

The case went very well and I was supported well by the MCA and the local council - Big thanks to you all.

They have said that they will be doing a press release on this, as soon as I get a copy of this I will post it on here.

Also I would like to thank everyone on here for the support over the past few months.

[John Kennett]

From the MCA web site

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EASTLEIGH BOROUGH COUNCIL PROSECUTE VESSEL OPERATING WITH SUSPENDED LICENCE IN SOLENT

Yesterday, Southampton Magistrates Court heard the case of Eastleigh Borough Council v Rupert Bonham-Smith. Mr Bonham-Smith of Passage Lane, Warsash, was found guilty of letting for hire his vessel, Spectre of Defeat, while it’s licence was under suspension, under Section 94 of the Public Health Acts (Amendment) Act. He was sentenced to a 6 month conditional discharge and £500 costs.

Mr Bonham-Smith received a Category 2 Local Authority licence allowing him to operate his vessel in the Solent in May 2004 with 10 persons on board including 1 crew. The licence was valid for 5 years. On the 29th June 2004 the licence was suspended by Eastleigh Borough Council following recommendation by both the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and The River Hamble Harbour Master as a result of their safety concerns.

On the weekend of 25th and 26th September 2004 Spectre of Defeat was chartered from Mr Bonham-Smith for £400 while the licence was still under suspension. Hamble River Patrol stopped him on the fuel berth and enquired if the charterer was aware that the vessel did not have a certificate. He was unaware of this fact and the man was then asked to provide his details and appeared as a witness for the prosecution in court yesterday.

Captain Amir Esmiley, Principal Surveyor with the MCA Marine Office says,

“This prosecution illustrates that unlicensed operators which are putting the public’s lives at risk on the water, will be prosecuted. It is an important and timely reminder for the public who may be considering getting afloat during the upcoming maritime festivities in the Solent area. If you are a paying passenger joining a chartered vessel ensure that it is properly certified. Valid certificates should always be held on board the vessels and if you have any doubts, contact the MCA 24 hour information line on 0870 6006505”

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Presumably a County Court claim for your refund will be next on the list Steve?

John

[Jono]

https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/csmco/index.jsp .....?

[Westy]

Saw him doing a charter last weekend at Yarmouth with a stag do, not a life jacket between them, no kill switch on- it amazes me how people behave and are above the law. But even more, why do these people go out on a boat and not ask about life jackets etc. Madness.
Is he still banned or has that been lifted then?

[SteveHall]

Originally Posted by Westy

Saw him doing a charter last weekend at Yarmouth with a stag do, not a life jacket between them, no kill switch on- it amazes me how people behave and are above the law. But even more, why do these people go out on a boat and not ask about life jackets etc. Madness.

Is he still banned or has that been lifted then?

I don't understand why people don't put lifejackets on, I wear my compact life jacket all weekend constantly, dose not stop me from working and I don't feel uncomfortable in it.

As far as I am aware he is now running as a club, and not for reward so he dose not need a licence, but yes I think his licence still suspended.

[Westy]

Well he told me that he was chartering the boat, as there was a group on a stag do from Lymington and was doing the same the following week. Clearly he doesn't give a toss about the law. His arrogance is amazing.

[spectre racing]

Spectre of Defeat sold in January of this year to a dive school and now operates commercially in Cyprus fitted with twin yamaha 250hp engines:

http://www.atlantic-web.com/syndicats.htm

Originally operated by the Special Boat Squadron she was made to a spec far higher than most leisure ribs operated in the Solent for charter.

She was fitted up by BHG marine and surveyed by Diana Roberts Associates in Hamble.

Atlantic web strongly disagrees with the decision that she was unsafe. Infact she is the by far the most safe boat operated by the company which today looks after some of the largest ribs on the Hamble.

Atlantic web maintains an impeccable safety record to date yet keeps a sense of fun and enjoyment at arms length from the health and safety culture. That is why we are at the cutting edge of events by being the first to introduce concepts such as amphibious paintball and go-karting on water.

The MCA have their views as does the harbour master but the company intends to take more serious legal advice over the next few weeks and will be appealing the decision of the magistrates.

After a very successful article in the telegraph written by olympic oarsman James Cracknell the London Offshore Powerboat Club is growing at a phenomanal rate and introducing many new faces into the world of ribs. That is a very positive factor in a cottage industry which needs all the support it can muster.