Jun 26, 2009 4:56 pm US/Eastern
Stolen Sailboat Puzzles Rockport Harbormasters
ROCKPORT (WBZ) ―
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This sailboat, which was posted for sale on the Internet for $24,900, was stolen from Rockport Harbor early Thursday morning.
WBZ
Rockport Harbormasters say a local man's 31-foot sailboat was stolen "right out from under their noses" about 2 a.m. Thursday in thick fog.
It was moored next to T-Wharf, in the shadow of Motif Number 1, the world famous and historic fishing shack that has been subject of artists.
"It's very strange," said James Tew, who learned his Cheoylee sailing yacht, Juno, was missing when friends called Thursday morning and asked, "Where's your boat?"
He looked out from the deck of his home at his empty mooring, speculating with WBZ's Ron Sanders.
"I don't know what to make of it, Ron, because my boat was not the sort of thing people would take out for a joy ride."
When asked about drug smuggling as a possible motive in the theft, Tew said, "I can't imagine it. You can't outrun anybody in that boat. It goes 6 knots under power and there were no sails on board."
Tew and the Rockport Harbormasters went out looking for the distinctive ketch, which has two wooden masts. The Harbormasters say a tug boat skipper may have seen it south of Rockport, near Thatcher Island, about 5:20 a.m. Thursday.
"The owner had put a lot of money into it. The engine was a relatively new Yanmar diesel that would be possibly used for parts," explained Harbormaster Scott Story.
The sailboat was posted for sale on the Internet, asking price, $24,900. The Harbormasters and Tew think it may have been stolen by someone who saw it on the Web and carefully planned the theft. Tew says the yacht was not insured and the keys were in it; but no one has stolen a boat from Rockport Harbor in recent memory.
"It's extremely unusual. We hope it doesn't happen again, but we haven't had it happen in our tenure as Harbormasters," said Rosemary Lesch.
All Massachusetts harbormasters have been notified of area Coast Guard stations. Tew says sooner or later the boat's engine will need fuel.
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