A local accomplice received a 14 months sentence and a ? 3,600 fine.

Hancox had already been stripped of his instructor qualifications following an RYA hearing held in London in 2000.

In a further move welcomed by the RYA, 44 of the duo's clients were each fined ? 540 for purchasing and using the fake qualifications.

The offences date back to 1998 and came to light following an RYA investigation into the circulation in Spain of falsified RYA International Certificates of Competence. The certificates, normally issued only on completion of a supervised test, are required in many European countries as proof of a skipper's competence.

"The case sends out a very clear signal that those guilty of selling or using fake International Certificates of Competence will be punished for putting at risk the safety and well-being of other water users, " said RYA training manager James Stevens.