This is the moment a furious boater disrupted a rowing race on the River Thames in south London - while shouting: “You don’t own the f****** water.”
Scott Keen, of Morden, ploughed his cruiser across a race line used for the Kingston Amateur Regatta in July last year, narrowly missing other boats before launching a foul-mouthed tirade.
He was ordered to pay £4,334.54 at Staines Magistrates’ Court after it heard he ignored an umpire’s warning about the race, and narrowly avoided causing a “tragedy” for young rowers taking part in it.
The court heard how Keen flouted instructions by an umpire that the waterway was closed, instead cutting across the racing line. He narrowly missed one of the boats which only just managed to avoid a crash.
His cruiser then caught the anchor rope of a race stake boat, before he stopped and launched a foul-mouthed tirade against participants, yelling that “they did not own the f****** water.”
As part of the costs, Keen was also fined as he had not registered his vessel, called Barney McGrew.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said Keen was first invited to a voluntary interview, before a summons was issued for his appearance at court on January 28, but that he failed to attend both times.
Maria Herlihy, harbour master of the Thames, said what occurred was a “disgrace”.
“Keen showed no regard for the safety of other river users and could easily have caused a tragedy,” she said.
“Quite frankly, it was no surprise to discover that his boat was unregistered, and we are happy with the court result.
“We hope that this serves as a clear warning to all – anti-social and dangerous behaviour on our rivers will not be tolerated, and we will take robust action to deal with.”
