Motorboat owner fined £12,000 after colliding with swimmer

by · Mail Online

A motorboat owner has been fined nearly £12,000 after colliding with a swimmer off Sandbanks beach.

Mark Jeffs was driving his 26ft motorboat, named the Duchess, 'without due care and caution' when he approached a group of open water swimmers training for a cross-Channel swim on October 12 last year.

He was doing speeds of up to 35mph just 230ft from the shore along the stretch of coastline at the entrance to Poole Harbour, Dorset.

After narrowly missing one swimmer, Jeffs slowed down to change a helm but struck another swimmer at lower speeds, causing a minor injury and 'considerable distress'.

The incident was reported to the Poole Harbour Master who carried out an investigation with Dorset Police.

Radar and CCTV were used to identify the vessel which went back to its berth in Holes Bay.

Jeffs has now pleaded guilty to a charge of navigating without due care and caution at Poole Magistrates Court.

He has been ordered to pay £11,910.20 which includes two fines of £660 for each of the byelaw breaches, full costs of £9,562.20, £500 compensation to the victim and a court surcharge of £528.

Mark Jeffs was driving his 26ft motorboat, named the Duchess, 'without due care and caution' when he approached a group of open water swimmers training for a cross-Channel swim on October 12 last year (Pictured: The Harbour Master in Poole)
He was doing speeds of up to 35mph just 230ft from the shore along the stretch of coastline at the entrance to Poole Harbour, Dorset (Pictured: Poole Harbour)

Poole Harbour Commissioners issued a safety warning to motorboat users to observe the 10knot speed limit within the harbour entrance.

Harbour master Harry Gregory said: 'Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) will continue to educate harbour users of their duty of care and raise awareness of the byelaws put in place to protect harbour users, wildlife and property.

'The rules are in place to ensure everyone can enjoy their time on the water safely and responsibly.

'If you break the rules, we will act and undertake an average of three to four prosecutions per season.

'This incident also serves as a reminder to others that open water swimmers are increasingly in the water all year round and also that the 10knot speed limit remains in force within the Harbour Entrance all year round.

'This is re-confirmed each Autumn by Local Notice to Mariners which every harbour user should ensure they are subscribed to.'