Geoff Lyons said the club had already faced significant damage to its equipment after this year’s record floods and had been kept busy more recently with a number of rescues at Longford last weekend.

The stolen motor was from an IRB used to assist police in the Longford rescue which involved four kayakers who were stranded on the South Esk River in flood waters.

During the rescue, a taillight on the IRB’s trailer was damaged.

The motor was then stolen while the IRB was at a repair shop in Legana.

“It’s just disappointing,” Mr Lyons said.

“We are always on call for police and marine rescue so we always try to have a boat ready for an emergency.

“We’d rather be raising money for new gear than to replace old gear.”

Mr Lyons said it had been a “horrible year” for the organisation.

“It’s just been hectic. The sheds have been underwater more often than not since about May, due to floods,” he said.

The boat is one of three belonging to the club and the motor is valued at about $4500.

Mr Lyons said they were unlikely to get a new motor before January.

“We’re still talking to insurers, it’s just a hassle.”

Anyone with information about the black Mercury 25 IRB motor, which has a stainless steel prop and guard, should contact Tasmania Police on 131 444.