Vandals set damage yachts and set them adrift — Burnham-On-Sea, England

Burnham-On-Sea Sailing Club has stepped up its security after vandals set a yacht adrift and caused damage to other boats and moorings.

Police are investigating a series of potentially serious incidents at the club’s pontoons in the River Brue, which have occurred over the past three weeks.

In the latest incident last Friday, a 33ft yacht’s mooring ropes were cut and the boat was set adrift in the river.

The vandals have also cut free a 30ft section of the pontoons, damaged the lines of a liferaft, removed a dinghy’s buoyancy bung, and removed a ladder from a yacht and thrown it into the river.

The club’s Vice Commodore, Matt Windle, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Security has been stepped up after the incidents to try and prevent them happening.”

“The club’s members are understandably concerned about what has been happening.”

“Fortunately, the yacht that was set adrift was retrieved without damage but it could have been serious. All the incidents seem to have been pointless vandalism.”

Burnham Police have this week asked walkers to be extra vigilant in the area and to report any suspicious activity.

http://www.burnham-on-sea.com/news/2011/sailing-club-vandals-04-10-11.php