The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) says a JetRib stolen from Station 16 in Strandfontein, Cape Town has been found burnt out in the bushes.
Spokesperson Craig Lambinon says the JetRib, when fully equipped is worth R650 000, and was stolen in the early hours of Sunday morning after the padlocks to the slipway were damaged.
He says a case was opened with police and in the afternoon a burnt-out boat was discovered in an open field in Blikkiesdorp.
Lambinon says it was soon confirmed that the vessel indeed belonged to Station 16.
He says the engine and trailer had been removed before the boat was set alight.
Lambinon says it is not the first time that their rescue assets have been stolen but never before have they had a case such as this.
The JetRIB was designed in 2019 in South Africa and received an award from the International Maritime Rescue Federation in 2021 for innovation and technology.
