A STRONG message has been sent that people who put others lives at risk by speeding in Poole Harbour, will not be tolerated.

Poole Magistrates have fined a man who drove a rigid inflatable at 34 knots along the Wareham Channel £750 and ordered him to pay £550 in costs.

Mark Cockman from Exmouth, Devon, had pleaded not guilty but did not turn up at court and was found guilty in his absence.

The incident took place on June 14 in an area of the harbour with a speed limit of 10 knots, in a boat capable of travelling at speeds of up to 40 knots.

"Our patrol boat couldn't catch him," said Peter Booth, Poole Harbour Commissioners harbour master. "It was only when he slowed down and turned around to come back that we were able to stop him."

This is the latest in a series of prosecutions by the harbour authorities in a crackdown on speeding and careless navigation. Ten people have already been taken to court and there are another three in the pipeline.

"The message is this is what happens if you are a naughty boy in Poole Harbour," said Mr Booth.

The commissioners are also cracking down on people who have avoided paying their harbour dues. It costs £65 a year to keep a 10m boat in the harbour or a marina.

"Twenty-four summonses in the small claims court have been issued with another 30 or so to come, if they haven't paid by October 5," said the harbour master.

"If revenue is less we may have to put the dues up more than we would like to next year. It's unfair on the others," he added.

First published: October 1