Rescue boat stolen

A SMALL dingy that was used to rescue boaters from their boats stranded in the floods on the Thames has been stolen.

It was narrowboat owner Paul Otter who used his dingy to rescue fellow boaters trapped in the flood at the Long Wittenham moorings near Oxford, and to ferry provisions, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Emergency

His 10ft dingy was the only way of accessing the boats, with the emergency services tied-up with so much work in the floods, but someone stole the boat and even a lifebuoy, both used of course for emergencies.

Though the flood has now receded, the dingy was looked upon as essential in case of further floods, but someone described as both thoughtless and selfish, took the boat, worth only around £20.