Police in Cape Town are investigating a case of stolen and damaged property, after the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI)’s JetRIB rescue craft was found in Delft, destroyed by fire on Sunday.
PICTURE SUPPLIEDNSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, said on Sunday morning,
NSRI crew arriving at NSRI Strandfontein rescue station for routine training discovered
that the rescue station had been broken into during the early hours of the
morning and an NSRI JetRIB rescue craft was missing.
‘’The 4 padlocks to the slipway boat gate were found open
and damaged. During Sunday afternoon, what appeared to be a boat recently
destroyed by a fire, was located on an open field in Blikkiesdorp, Delft.’’
‘’It is suspected that parts of the craft may have been stripped
before being set alight. Investigations include an alarm notification
indicating the rescue station main gates for the NSRI rescue craft was set on
at 02h06 and went off at 02h10.’’
Lambinon said it is suspected that the Yamaha VX 1050 motor
may have been stripped from the craft before it was set alight. He said an NSRI
JetRIB rescue craft fully kitted for rescue operations costs R650 000.
‘’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.’’
‘’On 14 September, 2021 an IMRF (International Maritime
Rescue Federation) Award for Innovation and Technology was awarded to the South
African JetRIB, designed in 2019 by Admiral Powercats, Droomers Yamaha and the
NSRI,’’ added Craig Lambinon, NSRI spokesperson.
NSRI are appealing to anyone with information regarding
this case to contact the SA Police Services. A case has been opened at
Strandfontein Police Station.
Done By: Alungile Njemla
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