Heavy fines or two years in jail for angling skippers who breach safety regulations

BOAT owners hiring out their vessels for angling trips could face up to two years in jail or heavy fines for breaching safety regulations from next summer.

They have been given a year from last June to bring their vessels up to strict standard which they must attain to get a licence.

The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources estimates there are more than 600 boats which offer sea angling trips within three miles of shore.