Thieves have targeted Launceston Surf Life Saving Club not once, but twice in the past year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Volunteers at the not-for-profit club have been left “disappointed” again, after its shed was broken into and a rescue boat motor was stolen over the weekend.
It’s the second time a motor has been taken, with one stolen in November last year while it was being repaired following damage during a rescue at Longford.
Launceston Surf Life Saving Club president Geoff Lyons said it was “annoying” and “frustrating”.
He said it reduced the organisation’s ability to service its community and continue to educate the public on water safety.
“It just means we can’t cover all of the big events if we don’t have all of our gear,” Mr Lyons said.
“The overwhelming majority of people support what we are doing it’s only this minority of people who really have no conscience and I just hope the police are able to prosecute.”
The club patrols at least 22 events each year and is involved in training school students on surf safety.
Last year alone, it was involved in 12 rescues including searching for bodies during the devastating floods in Northern Tasmania.
Surf life saving volunteers rescued people from the top of their homes as water surrounded them and saved a group of young girls who were stuck on a log in the rising North Esk River.
The stolen black Mercury 25 IRB motor is worth about $4500 and it is believed to have been taken from the club’s shed at Tailrace Park overnight Saturday.
“The thieves don’t realise there’s only 15 of us in this club and much of the money comes from our pockets,” Mr Lyons said.
“Our insurance last year was about $2500 … that’s a lot of money for 15 people to raise.”
Tasmania Police said nobody had been charged but officers were “following a particular line of inquiry”.
“Police would particularly like to hear from anyone who saw a utility or 4WD in the area overnight on Saturday, December 9,” they said.
Anyone with information should contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, which can be done anonymously.
IN OTHER NEWS: