A RIB belonging to Kingsdown BSAC in Dover has been stolen from its berth in Dover Marina. The 5.8m Humber Destroyer boat was reported missing yesterday morning.
The stolen RIB
Clive Rolfe, Kingsdown BSAC's diving officer, said members of the club were 'very upset' by the loss of the RIB. He said: 'We're a very active club, and we've used the boat about 20 or 30 times so far this year. We had put in a new engine in December.'
The RIB's serial number is 7102. It has a Yamaha F100 DET engine, with the serial number 6D9L1011199, and a home-built, non-standard power system.
The theft has been reported to the Port of Dover Police, who are investigating and examining CCTV footage of the area.
Inspector Neil Care of the Port of Dover Police said: 'This theft is particularly disappointing as Dover Marina has a very good reputation as a safe and secure environment within the marine community.
'There has been no recorded theft of any craft from Dover Marina for at least ten years. A very successful 'boatwatch' operation is in existence, and CCTV and regular patrols by a dedicated port police force has made the area virtually crime free.
'For that reason, the Port of Dover Police will be conducting a very thorough investigation in an effort to recover the RIB for the owner, and bring those responsible for this crime to justice.'
The police have appealed for anyone who has any information or who was in the vicinity of Dover Marina at 9.30pm on Wednesday 12 August to contact Port of Dover Police CID on (01304) 216084 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
