Cape Town – Police are investigating after a stolen National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) rescue craft was found destroyed by fire in the Western Cape.
The craft, a red JetRIB marked with NSRI Rescue 16A, was found gutted by fire about 20km from the NSRI base from which it was stolen during a burglary
It was a jet ski modified for surf rescue operations.
The theft was discovered when the NSRI crew arrived for training and found the slipway boat gate padlocks open and damaged.
The craft was later found on Sunday in an open field in Blikkiesdorp, Delft, about 20km away from the NSRI base.
“During Sunday afternoon, what appeared to be a boat recently destroyed by a fire, was located on an open field in Blikkiesdorp, Delft.
“Police and Law Enforcement investigated and it is confirmed that the destroyed boat is the NSRI Strandfontein JetRIB rescue craft.
“The craft has been completely destroyed by fire.
“It is suspected that parts of the craft may have been stripped before being set alight,” the institute said.
The NSRI estimates the value of a fully equipped JetRIB at R650 000.
The incident is unprecedented for the NSRI, as they had never before experienced a case where a rescue craft was stolen and burned.
“While NSRI has suffered theft of rescue assets and break in’s at NSRI rescue stations in the past we have never experienced a case where a rescue craft was stolen and later found gutted by fire,” said NSRI.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
NSRI rescue vessel stolen in Cape Town
Cape Town – The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in the Western Cape says a break-in at its Strandfontein station on Saturday night resulted in the theft of a crucial rescue craft.
The stolen craft is a red JetRIB marked with NSRI Rescue 16A.
The NSRI has appealed to the public to be on the lookout for the stolen craft.
“A vital of life-saving equipment a jet rib has been stolen from the NSRI station 16 Strandfontein. We are appealing for anyone with any information to contact us,” the institute said.
A case has been opened with Strandfontein Police Station.
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Picture: Twitter/@Abramjee
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
