News

A Polish lorry driver has been fined £2,000 for not declaring dangerous goods to the operator of a ferry carrying 228 people.

Janusz Gauden pleaded guilty to not declaring to Sea France that he was carrying a load of dangerous goods on a journey from Calais to Dover on 20 November 2008.

Earlier that same day he had attempted to board a ferry at Dunkirk but was refused because he did  not have the correct documentation. Gauden was carrying methyl methacrylate monomer, stabilised.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) hazardous cargo advisor Keith Bradley warns: "Methyl methacrylate monomer is inflammable and if subjected to heating, such as in a fire, the product can become explosive and causes toxic fumes."

At Folkestone Magistrates' Court on 27 January, Gauden pleaded guilty to contravening the Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods & Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1997. He was fined £2,000 with £3,758 costs.