Stolen boat licence plates found

THE licence plates of the narrowboat stolen from Mercia Marina have been found discarded by the Atherstone Flight on the Coventry Canal, but the boat has still not been traced.

We are told that the man who took the boat had keys and told the neighbours that he was taking the boat back to the boat builders as there was a problem with the engine that needed repair under guarantee.

Had keys

It is not known how he knew which boat to take or how he gained access to the marina, but he obviously had keys.

It is believed the boat was stolen around the 9th of July.  Though it was not yet sign written it has a distinct stern, as can be seen from the picture. It has the number MCCSC438E414 stamped on it, but we are not told where.

Improving security

With another narrowboat stolen from Kings Bromley Marina a few weeks before, many marinas are improving their security, though of course there can be no check on all the boats leaving a marina.

Many owners, us included, have other people take their boats out for a week or so before a holiday to enable them to cruise further, which means people not known legitimately take out boats.