‘Mooring rope was cut during night,’ says boat owner
DURING the dead of night someone made their way out to John Niles’ boat at Les Amarreurs Harbour and cut through his mooring rope, he said.
Mr Niles, a plumber, was shocked when he arrived at the bay yesterday [FRI]morning and found his fishing boat washed up on the beach.
‘I came down here at 7.30am and thought, “my boat’s not in the right place”.
‘Then I saw it had come up on the beach. It’s all in one piece – there’s no damage. But it’s very stressful.’
When he checked the sturdy 30mm mooring rope, he found there was a straight cut across it, which he believes must have been done with a knife.
Based on the tides, the boat could be reached on foot only between about 1am and 6am yesterday.
Mr Niles has been mooring in the Vale bay for eight years and has never had any problems before.
The rope will cost about £100 to replace.
‘It was fortunate there was no swell overnight,’ said Mr Niles.
‘Otherwise the boat would be in pieces.’
A Les Amarreurs moorings committee spokesman said he was not aware of any other problems in the area, but warned boat owners to regularly check their boats and ensure any knives they owned were secured.
About 25 boat owners use the moorings in the bay.
Mr Niles said he had reported the matter to the police, who are investigating.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Guernsey Police on 725111 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
