This article is from page 13 of the 2011-06-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
GARDAÍ have warned boat owners to be vigilant after the Killaloe Coast Guard Unit was called out on a major search on foot of an empty boat being spotted adrift on the lake.
The search was stood down after it was established that the boat was one of two which had been reported stolen.
The Coast Guard was tasked on Saturday by Valentia MRSC when a fisherman reported a fishing boat adrift on the lower lake below Killaloe.
There was no-one on board the boat when it was spotted.
The fisherman had seen a person on the same boat an hour and a half beforehand and, as the boat keys and life jacket were still on board, a major search of the area was conducted by the Killaloe Coast Guard Rib “DALTON”, Rescue 115, the Irish Coast Guard Helicopter from Shannon and a land search team from Killaloe Coast Guard.
On investigation, it was discovered that two boats from the local area had been stolen during the previous night and that the boat found adrift was one of these. After 45 minutes, the search was stood down as nothing was found.
Gardaí have advised boat owners to check their vessels and to take precautions to ensure that thieves can’t take boats which are moored on the lake.
The warning comes after a number of thefts of boat engines from vessels in Killaloe. The outboard engines are valuable and are being resold.
Gardai are asking anyone in the boating community who is offered an engine under suspicious circumstances to contact them.