Chichester Harbour Conservancy has successfully prosecuted a boat-owner who caused a danger to other water users by contravening local harbour byelaws and navigating without care or caution.
On 15 April 2026, Malcolm Oliver pled guilty at court to navigating his vessel without care and caution, in a manner that caused danger to other harbour users, contrary to Chichester Harbour Byelaw 4.
The offence occurred on 26 November 2023, when Mr Oliver navigated his motorboat Molly 3 through Itchenor Reach at speed and in close proximity to yachts and moored vessels. This created a significant and hazardous wash, causing nearby vessels to pitch and roll dangerously. The wash also disturbed boats moored at the Itchenor visitor pontoon, resulting in minor damage.
The incident was reported to Harbour Patrol by a member of the public, who provided video evidence of the breach.
The court imposed a total penalty of £2,314 in fines and costs, payable within 28 days. Mr Oliver also stated in court that he had incurred £5,000 in legal fees in relation to the case.
“As a Harbour Authority, we have a duty to ensure the safety of all those using Chichester Harbour. We rely on harbour users to follow the Byelaws and navigate responsibly to protect others. This successful prosecution sends a clear message that unsafe or inconsiderate navigation will not be tolerated. We are grateful to members of the public who report dangerous behaviour, and I encourage anyone who witnesses such incidents to contact our Harbour Patrol Team.”
Jo Cox, Harbourmaster at Chichester Harbour Conservancy
A full list of Chichester Harbour Conservancy Byelaws together with other information for harbour users can be found here.
View a video of the incident here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BGVcT5JQm