POOLE Harbour authorities have promised no let-up in the crackdown on speeding following two more successful prosecutions.

Two speedboat drivers who admitted exceeding the 10-knot speed limit were both fined £300 with £150 costs by Wimborne Magistrates.

"We are concerned to target the irresponsible minority who exceed the speed limit, particularly in potentially hazardous areas of the harbour and we will continue to have the maximum presence on the water," said Poole harbourmaster Peter Booth.

He said there had been an average this season of eight vessels patrolling the harbour every weekend.

He added he was particularly concerned about the dangers in the water-skiing area, where only speedboats towing a skier, who had paid their fee to the harbour office, were allowed to exceed 10-knots.

"The last two years we have put more effort into the water-skiing area and it is getting a lot more popular," he said. "We want to stamp out the irresponsible speeder there."

Richard Killer, prosecuting for Poole Harbour Commissioners, said two assistant harbourmasters on the patrol boat Vigilant saw a red speedboat doing in excess of the 10-knot speed limit at 3.15pm on July 17.

"The Vigilant was doing its maximum speed of 33 knots and all the while the speedboat was travelling away from them," he said.

He said it was doing well in excess of 30 knots and there were a number of skiing boats nearby. He said there were 30 to 40 signs in and around the harbour relating to the 10-knot speed limit.

The speedboat stopped and the defendant, businessman Philip Neale, 41, of Chatsworth Road, Charminster, Bournemouth, told the Vigilant's crew there was nothing to say that the area was set aside and a skiing permit was needed.

"I consider this a safe area for speeding. I was brought up on the harbour and have had boats all my life," Mr Killer said he told the crew.

In another case Essex builder Mark Gilligan admitted a similar speeding offence and was given the same penalty.

This summer the commissioners have already prosecuted a jetskier for speeding and a further prosecution is pending.

First published: September 6