Press Notice No: 162-09
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Posted 13:59 GMT

A Windsor passenger vessel operator has been issued with a detention notice following a visit from a Maritime and Coastguard Agency Inspector.


The operator is operating at least two vessels this year and the Agency has received a number of complaints

The MCA inspector visited Windsor on Saturday and observed the operator of these two vessels and a colleague operating the Funworld and Funworld II as passenger vessels. The open boats were stemmed to the bank – an unsafe procedure.

The Inspector boarded Funworld and went aft to speak to the operator, he is unable to move freely. He was informed that the vessel should not be operating in the carriage of passengers. The vessel was then issued with a detention order. The contents of the detention order were carefully explained to the operator.

The Inspector then boarded Funworld II and issued another detention notice to the skipper of that vessel.

Captain Andrew Phillips of the Enforcement Unit of the MCA said:

The operation of these vessels is under investigation for serious breaches of safety legislation on passenger vessels. The Agency is seriously concerned about the safety of the passengers these vessels carry, and the vessels have been issued with the appropriate documentation to stop this operation.

Posted By: Fred Caygill

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401