Tilbury ferry's operator has been ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £27,000 for seriously overloading its boat.
In Dartford Magistrates Court, the Lower Thames and Medway Passenger Boat Company admitted overloading the Gravesend-Tilbury ferry.
A tip-off warned officials last August the vessel was carrying more than the permitted 60 passengers. Between 90 and 110 were aboard. The captain had declared just 62.
A spokesman for the ferry company, John Potter said: "We have pleaded guilty to a one-off event caused by the action of one member of staff."
The company was fined £18,000 and ordered to pay £9,000 costs.
Thurrock Council, which, along with Kent County Council, subsidises the service to the tune of £170,00 a year, has said the conviction will not affect the future operation of the service but had added it will be meeting the company to review its contract.
Councillor Tunde Ojetola, who is responsible for transport, said: "I am grateful this has been brought to our attention and appropriate action taken to ensure continued passenger safety at all times."
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