Partygoer told to pay compensation for setting off fire extinguisher on passenger boat

A partygoer who set off a fire extinguisher into the wheelhouse of a passenger boat on the River Thames has been told to pay £1,000 in compensation. 

Aaron Chew, aged 30, from Barking in Essex, had pleaded guilty to two offences committed while he was on board the Hurlingham on 19 October 2019. The boat had been hired for a private party and had 102 passengers on board along with seven crew. 

At around 10pm the boat was being navigated past London Bridge City Pier heading towards Tower Bridge, ending at Tower Pier where the party was due to finish. 


Chew picked up a foam fire extinguisher and sprayed the contents into the wheelhouse where the Master and First Mate were.driving the boat. The foam went onto the windscreen obliterating the view for the Master, covered the navigation equipment, electrical system and CCTV. 


They remonstrated with him and asked him to put the fire extinguisher down but he responded with an obscenity and then claimed it was just banter and that he was drunk. He then went to the front of the boat and threatened to jump off. 


Security officers pulled him back on board and police were called. Chew was arrested and cautioned by Metropolitan Police officers for criminal damage offences. Under caution he admitted to being under the influence of drink and drugs having taken Ketamine and also admitted to taking and discharging the fire extinguisher. 


The investigation was taken over by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency who subsequently brought the prosecution. 


Today at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, he was told to pay compensation of £1,000 to one of the crew and also £500 costs to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, as well as a surcharge of £22. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge. 


Mark Cam, Lead Investigator with the MCA's Regulatory Compliance Investigations Team, said: “Fire extinguishers are not toys and vessels are not playgrounds. Chew’s actions could have brought about serious consequences for the lives of the crews and passengers. 

“We want to send a clear message such offences are not acceptable and those unwilling to follow rules and regulation will face the full weight of the law."


Maritime & Coastguard Agency HQ


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