POOLE harbour authorities are cracking down on inconsiderate speeders who break the law and endanger other boat users.

They have just successfully prosecuted a further four people for speeding or careless navigation in the harbour.

Average fine and penalties amounted to £600 and with three more prosecutions in the pipeline there will have been 10 this year. Two involved jet-skiers and the rest powerboats and 60 per cent had addresses outside Poole.

"We believe we have got a safe harbour," said Poole Harbour Commissioners harbour master, Peter Booth. He said they had recently spent £75,000 on a 25ft patrol vessel, Vigilant, which was capable of 35 knots.

And on busy weekends they had eight patrol boats in the harbour, including two personal watercraft. "When someone comes round the corner past Vigilant, someone else is waiting around the next corner," he said.

"We don't want to be spoilsports. We like people having fun," he said. "But everyone has to go in an out of the harbour at a reasonable speed.

"It's not just the speed but the wash. There are a lot of kids in canoes and small sailing craft and people out there in powerful boats making a lot of wash, who need to slow down."

There is a 10-knot speed limit in the harbour, down to six knots in Little Channel, Holes Bay and environmentally sensitive areas south of the islands.

Poole Harbour Commissioners are also taking action against a "significant minority" of people who have not paid their harbour dues.

First published: Sept 24