Cambridge University Combined Boat Clubs (CUCBC) has imposed fines of $125 each on three boats from Selwyn, Caius and St Edmund's college for their unacceptable behavior during the annual May Bumps race last week.

Rowers from the university have been accused of urinating in public, using foul and abusive language directed at an umpire, drinking alcohol while rowing and for not wearing life jackets in the traditional 200-year-old competition on the River Cam.

The crew members from St Edmund's college were also punished for causing excessive damage to the riverbank by dragging a tree back to the boat to celebrate their victory.

Usually, the rowers break off willow branches and place them on their heads whenever they bump a boat in front of them. As a penalty, they have been asked to plant a new tree.

The historic races were established way back in the 1820s and are held over four days. By bumping, a boat moves further on the river for the following day's race.

Other boats were penalized for dangerous arguments, failing to provide a marshal and for having too many cycling supporters following them along the tow path. Normally only four cyclists are allowed so the tow paths do not get crowded. The rowers are also blamed for killing three-week-old ducklings with their oars during the races.

Lee Culley, 44, a boater who lives on the river alleged that he witnessed at least two ducklings being killed during one race. He also found other dead birds.

"It was absolutely disgusting," Culley said. "They just sped through even though I shouted to them, warning them about the ducks. They just kept on going and their blades went through the ducks and killed two. The ducks were only three weeks old. Another one died the next day and the mother has none but keeps coming back to my boat looking for the brood."

Culley worries about the existence of wildlife because of increasing presence of rowers in the river.

"I am worried about the other wildlife. We just don't have that much of it left on the river because there are just too many rowers. The number of rowers has dramatically increased from about five years ago. The situation is at crisis point," Culley said.