Hunt on for boat thieves

Bay of Islands police are involved in an America's Cup challenge of their own as they try to track down the thieves who made off with an America's Cup chase boat.

The 7m rigid inflatable, veteran of a previous challenge, was taken sometime on Sunday night from Opua and found the following day drifting in the Waikare Inlet.

Sergeant Peter Masters, of Paihia police, said the boat and 9m trailer had been secured with two trailer locks opposite Cater Marine. The padlocks were forced and the boat and trailer towed away.

On Monday afternoon a landowner in the Waikare Inlet saw the boat drifting on the tide and managed to contact the owner, who salvaged it and found the trailer stuck in mud next to a boat ramp on Waikare Rd.

However, two four-stroke, 50hp Yamaha outboard motors were missing, as were the controls and the fuel tank.

Mr Masters said police were keen to hear from anyone who had seen the boat and trailer being towed between Opua and Waikare sometime after 3pm on Sunday, probably overnight. Around the same time eight boats moored in the Opua area had been broken into, Mr Masters said. It appeared dinghies left above the high tide mark had been used to access the boats. Mostly fishing gear had been taken. He urged anyone who was offered cheap fishing gear to call the station on (09) 402 7130 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. Northland police would also continue their regular checks of second-hand shops, TradeMe and other outlets.

Mr Masters suggested anyone with boats moored in the area check their security and consider making use of the local firms offering to look after them.