Teacher fined £2,000 over boat tragedy

A teacher who supervised a school boating trip in which a nine-year-old pupil drowned has been fined £2,000.

Elizabeth Bee died when a boat carrying nine children from Boundary Oaks School in Fareham, Hampshire, capsized in Portsmouth harbour in September 1999. At Portsmouth Crown Court yesterday Paul Dove, 66, a science teacher from West Sussex, admitted failing to take adequate precautions to protect the health and safety of children.

The court heard thatDove had contravened guidelines from the Royal Yachting Association that one teacher should not be in charge of more than six children. Sarah Whitehouse, for the prosecution, said Dovehad asked the group – which included Elizabeth's twin sister, Victoria – to paddle, causing water to enter the boat. The boat capsized after pupils panicked when a bucket holding a jellyfish overturned.

Tim Concannon, for the defence, said Dove, who has since retired, had run sailing activities for 30 years. He suffered from depression as a result of the tragedy.

Judge MacKean said: "If there is to be any benefit to be derived from these tragic events it would be that it might encourage other schools to keep the highest possible standards to reduce the risk of further accidents."

Speaking after the hearing, Elizabeth's mother, Lesley Bee, said the family's lives had been ruined by the "lack of duty to care for our children". She said: "How many more children will lose their lives? I am devastated. Too many mistakes were made, bad decisions were taken and many safety measures were not adhered to."

Boundary Oaks School was fined £20,000 for failing to ensure the safety of its pupils.