A FISHING boat skipper who admitted not having a satellite tracking device fitted was fined £450.
Steven McAlpine, 38, of 15 Eastfield, Tarbert, pleaded guilty to two charges of leaving port without a functional vessel monitoring system on the boat, owned by his cousin, during work for Loch Fyne Langoustines Ltd. McAlpine skippered Margaritta TT26 which was boarded by Marine Scotland officers in the Firth of Clyde on September 24 last year. He was admonished on the charge relating to that occasion.
Imposing the fine for the second charge, relating to another inspection on October 6 last year, Campbeltown Sheriff Patrick Hughes said he had taken into account McAlpine was an employee and not the owner of the boat.