Thieves wreck Marine Rescue volunteers’ fundraising drive

[mrsswordfisherman]

Thieves wreck Marine Rescue volunteers’ fundraising drive

Marine Rescue NSW members have been dismayed by callous thieves who have set back the volunteers’ efforts to raise funds for their vital work to save lives on the water.

Marine Rescue Middle Harbour Unit Commander Peter Nott said thieves had stolen the motor from a 3.9m aluminium runabout that is the centrepiece of the unit’s annual raffle, damaging the boat in the process.

The raffle prize is a Quintrex 390 Explorer runabout fitted with a 9.9hp Mercury 4-stroke outboard on a registered Quintrex trailer, worth almost $9,000.

UC Nott said he had discovered the theft and damage to the boat, which was chained to a tree in a high-profile location on the grass foreshore next to the unit’s base on the eastern side of Spit Road, at 8.30pm on Monday.

“I noticed the motor was missing and on closer examination, found the thieves had also used a hacksaw to cut through the transom brace bracket to which the motor was locked so they could rip off the outboard,” he said.

“There is obviously a great deal of traffic on Spit Road and many pedestrians in the area, so if anyone passing saw any suspicious activity leading up to 8.30pm on Monday, I would ask them to immediately contact the police.

“It’s unbelievable that people could steal from volunteers who generously give their time and effort to help people who are in trouble on the water. Our members deserve thanks, not this slap in the face.

“This is a low act – and what’s worse, one that could put lives at risk. The money we raise from this raffle is helping us replace the 43-year-old inflatable rescue boat that has been crucial to our inshore rescue operations and to supporting events on the harbour.

“Our members have been putting in a tremendous effort with this raffle and people have been keen to snap up tickets for a chance to win such a great prize.

“We can’t raffle a damaged boat so MRNSW Headquarters is doing everything possible to secure us a new model of the same boat to raffle as soon as possible,” UC Nott said.

“People will still be able to buy tickets in the raffle but the prize won’t physically be on location until a new one is delivered.”

Damage done

[NaClH2OK9]

Absolute scum bags.

[Guest no one]

Stop everyone with a 9.9hp Merc and check the serial numbers - People like this deserve to be locked up.

[Scratchie]

That's disgusting. It's a shame they weren't caught in the act

[mrsswordfisherman]

I have asked if there is anyway raiders can assist with this

[Rami]

It would help if you can let me know where to buy tickets? It's a worthy cause to chip in a few bucks.

[NaClH2OK9]

I think the punishment should match the crime. When they are caught they should be taken out to sea and set adrift with no option of rescue comming to get them.

[chocolate]

^{LOW LIFES.}

[Blood Knot]

I think the punishment should match the crime. When they are caught they should be taken out to sea and set adrift with no option of rescue comming to get them.

Agree - but in order to match the crime more closely part of "them" should be cut off with a hacksaw first

Cheers

Blood Knot

[phatnat]

Who will they call when their boat is taking on water, or the battery is flat or their fishing mate has passed out. Karma is a B****H

[bessell1955]

I do not think people of this ilk own,

operate or are the least bit interested in any form of boating. They are just thieves and are like chooks they pick up anything but knowledge.

Geoff

[Busy-livin]

Absolute scum. People work so hard for great things only to have dheads like that take them.