A POWERBOAT enthusiast has been ordered to pay £2,000 court costs and a £120 fine after endangering the lives of other boat users on the River Hamble.

Richard Purssell drove his brand new vessel - Spooky - at speeds of up to 30 knots within 20ft of children sailing in dinghies.

When the 42-year-old accelerated his yellow rigid inflatable boat (rib) near to moorings, people in their boats feared they were going to be tipped out.

He also ignored shouts for him to slow down from other boat users and twice had to be stopped by the harbour master.

Fareham magistrates heard how six eye-witnesses reported Purssell to the harbour master and police on July 13.

He was spotted travelling at excessive speeds along the stretch of water between the M27 bridge and the Swanwick bend, causing excessive wash and big waves.

Tim Selwood, prosecuting on behalf of the River Hamble Harbour Authority, described how two boat owners were in a small tender by their mooring when one of them saw a big rib coming towards them at high speed.

The eye-witness described how he had to quickly move the tender to avoid a collision and that the resulting wash caused it to "rock violently".

Another onlooker called the harbour master after fearing a collision between the rib and two small dinghies with children and adults on board.

Purssell of Cutler Avenue, Warsash, representing himself, pleaded guilty to navigating his vessel without due care and attention.

He said he had just bought the boat and it was the first time he had gone out on it with his partner. "I understand that I was wrong. We were enjoying ourselves. I had just split up from my wife and that was probably another part of it."

He added: "I was not sure if there was a speed limit. There was a sign recommending six knots."

Sentencing, presiding magistrate Geoffrey Mecham said: "The River Hamble is there for the pleasure of all, not for the pleasure of one."

Richard Exley, harbour master, said: "I hope this sends out a clear message to all boat owners that the river is there for everyone.

"The last thing we want to do is come to court. But if people flout the river by-laws that is what we'll do.

"Steering boats at 30 knots on the Hamble is like going outside a school on a road with a 30mph speed limit at 60mph."