THE skipper of a Whitsunday fishing charter boat was fined $2000 in the Proserpine Magistrate's Court this week.

Scott Daniel Gilham was not present in court to answer the charge relating to the general safety obligation of a ship's master about the condition of the ship, which was dealt with in his absence.

On December 27, 2011, Gilham was the master of Rapture, a 10.32metre fishing charter vessel run by Hamilton Island Water Sports.

Barrister appearing on behalf of Queensland Transport (TMR), Isaac Munsie, said there were issues with two of the boat's hatches, which had the potential to endanger passengers.

Mr Munsie said a hatch on the deck area of the wheel house could not be safely closed and another hatch, to the engine room, had its locking devices removed.

He said both of these compartments were meant to be water tight and if water entered them it could affect the buoyancy of the boat.

Mr Munsie noted that as the ship's master, Gilham was responsible for its seaworthiness.

He said the maximum penalty for this type of offence was a $55,000 fine, with comparative cases resulting in fines of between $2000 and $2500.

In making his decision of a $2000 fine, magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist ruled that the safety of both the vessel and its passengers had been compromised.

In addition to the fine, Gilham will have to pay $87.50 in court costs. There was no conviction recorded against him for the offence.