Mother and son to pay more than £5,000 for obstructing work of MCA
A man has been ordered to pay more than £2,000 for obstructing the work of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). A woman has also been fined £2,000 for failing to provide the MCA with requested documents. On 3 March, 2022, Rhys Wonnacott, of Milford Haven, prevented MCA surveyors boarding the fishing vessel Provider, moored at Milford Haven Harbour. Because of this, surveyors were unable to complete an inspection of the vessel, as part of a Fishing Vessel Concentrated Inspection Campaign that was taking place that day. Obstructing an MCA surveyor from their duties is against the law, under Section 258 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. On 2 May at Haverford West Magistrates’ Court, Rhys Wonnacott was fined £800 and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £320 and costs of £1,000. Following the incident in 2022 Louise Wonnacott, Rhys’ mother, of Milford Haven, repeatedly failed to provide the MCA with required documentation as part of an ongoing investigation, after claim