THE owners of a ship have been fined £2,000 after failing to report that it had been responsible for an oil spill in Poole Harbour.

Faversham Ships Limited admitted the charge in a prosecution brought by Poole Harbour Commissioners under section 136 of the Merchant Shipping Act.

The company was given credit at Bournemouth Magistrates Court for its early guilty plea and previous good record, but was also ordered to pay a £120 victim surcharge and costs of £1,980.

A spokesperson for the harbour commissioners, said it had resources to deal with pollution incidents, but added: “The most effective response is a timely response and it is essential that PHC are advised immediately.

“Failure to report a pollution incident is taken very seriously, as this shipping company found out.”