LONDON, Jan. 22 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

Adam Russell (28), ofMurrays Mew, Burton, Milford Haven, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Courttoday(22 January2026)overalife-threateningincidentwhich took place on 11 August 2024 on the RiverCleddau.

In addition to the suspendedprison term, Russell must complete 15 hours ofrequiredactivity;200 hours unpaid work;and pay his victima total of £1,676 in compensation for damage to property and personal injury, plus £3,000 prosecution costs.

It is the firstprosecutionunder theMerchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023,introducedin 2024toempowerprosecution of anyonewhoputsothersat riskby using powered watercraft of any size in a dangerous manner, including small motorboats andjet skis.

Swansea Crown Court heard how thecrashnear Milford Havenwrecked the teenage boy's one-person kayak and left him with cuts and bruising to his arms and lower lip.

The young man has not returned to water sports since, describing the experiencein his witness statementas "terrifying".

Moments beforetheimpact, Russell had been seated steeringasingle-engine, duo-propspeedboat, White Mischief, upstream at unsafe speeds of up to 25mph which lifted the bow and obscured his vision. He was carrying six passengers, including children.

Coming in the opposite direction was the 15-year-old victim, in a group with his father and friends in brightly coloured kayaks and wearingredpersonal floatation devices.

The young kayakerspotted Russell's vesselapproaching near Rudders Boatyard,an areaRussell was familiarwithandwhichisknownas abusylocationformoorings and leisure activities.

The teenagertried to paddle out of the way but,unable to seethe danger, Russell changed courseandstruckthekayak, driving over thevictimandthrowinghiminto the water.

The MCA led the prosecution with support fromDyfed Powys Police and Milford Haven Port Authority.

JudgeGeraintWalterssaid:

Just like our roads, our seas and our rivers are not playgrounds. They are required by all of us to recognise the risk to others innocently going about their business.

MCAInvestigatorPaul Atkins said:

This case showstheimportance ofkeepinga proper lookoutand operatingsafely.Itwasavery closecall-ifcircumstances had beenonly slightly different,therecouldhavebeenaterribletragedy.

This prosecution, the first under new watercraft safety laws,sends aclear signal thatpeoplefloutingtherequirements that keep usallsafe on the waterareliabletobe held accountablefor their actions.

Mike Ryan, Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven, said:

The incident on the Milford Haven Waterway was extraordinarily dangerous with a very real threat to life, yet it was also completely avoidable.

We support the MCA's decision to prosecute the defendant forfailing to keepan effective lookout. It is an important reminder that not only do Waterway users have a responsibility to keep themselves and any passengers safe, but also a responsibility towards every other user of the Waterway.

Keeping watch is one of the most important aspects of staying safe afloat: look ahead, lookbehindand look left and right, adjust your speed as necessary and take early,clearand decisive action to avoid collisions.

Background

Russell was sentenced having previously admitted two charges at Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court on 2 December 2025:

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failing without reasonable excuse to prevent the loss or destruction of another watercraft and/orserious injuryto another person, contrary to Section 6 of the Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023.

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failing without reasonable excuse to comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGS), namely failing to adhere to Rule 5 (look out), Rule 6 (safe speed) and Rule 7 (risk of collision), contrary to Section 6 of The Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996.

Russellbecamethe firstpersonto face prosecution in court under the Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023. It was used previously in2024 to caution a jet ski rider.

An order was made in court to restrict reporting of thevictim'sidentity.

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