A National Sea Rescue Institute rescue craft which was reported stolen, was found burnt in the Delft area this past weekend.

The water craft was found to be missing from the Strandfontein base yesterday morning. Later the afternoon, it was eventually discovered on an open field in Blikkiesdorp, Delft. Spokesperson Craig Lambinon explains:

SWIFT RESPONSE BY AUTHORITIES

“Police and Law Enforcement investigated. It’s confirmed the destroyed boat is the NSRI Strandfontein JetRIB rescue craft.The craft has been completely destroyed by fire. But it is suspected that parts of the craft may have been stripped before being set alight,” says Lambinon.

Further investigations revealed that an alarm notification indicating the rescue station main gates for the NSRI rescue craft was set on at 02h06. And it went off at 02h10.

Additionally, the NSRI is now calling on the public to come forward with information, to help find whoever is responsible for this brazen act.

THE VALUE OF THE VESSEL

Furthermore, Lambinon says an NSRI JetRIB rescue craft fully kitted for rescue operations costs R650 000.

“While NSRI has suffered theft and break in’s at NSRI rescue stations in the past, we’ve never experienced a case where a rescue craft was stolen and found gutted by fire. NSRI is appealing to anyone with information regarding this case to contact the SA Police Services. A case has been opened at Strandfontein Police Station,” adds Lambinon.

READ MORE: NSRI attends to multiple incidents