30 July 2023 , 20:22
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CCTV images appear to show a masked man deliberately drill holes into a fishing boat - causing it to sink at a British harbour.
The Tina Louise was targeted in the early hours of Friday at Methill Boat Club in Leven, Central Lowlands. Photographs appear to show an intruder climb over the security fence with, allegedly, a battery-powered drill.
Ross and Tina Coventry, who own the boat, say the man then walked directly to the vessel and drilled a number of holes in the hull below the waterline. In CCTV images taken three minutes later, the man leaves the scene and climbs back over the security gate.
The intruder drilled a number of holes in the hull below the waterlineThe Tina Louise sank just hours later after the bilge pump batteries were overwhelmed by water, reports Daily Record. Ross and Tina, who have run a family-owned fishing business for nine years, have now been left without income during peak season, lost around £10,000 worth of equipment and do not know if the damage to the boat can be repaired.
Ross, 47, said it is the second time they have been targeted after someone stole around £4,500 worth of lobster in November last year. He said: "I turned up to work around 5.30am on Friday and a couple of people met me in the car park to say the boat had sunk. I didn't believe it at first. A few hours later I was able to access CCTV and it was clear as day what happened."
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"It took less than four minutes to destroy our livelihoods. It is gutting for myself and my wife as we built everything up from nothing. To have been targeted a second time is soul destroying."
Police Scotland are using the images as part of their probePolice Scotland are investigating the incident, and are appealing for anyone who recognises the man in the pictures to come forward. It's little consolation for Ross, however, as he and his wife sell their produce to local businesses in the Fife and Edinburgh areas, but fear they will now lose loyal customers.
"I am the hardest worker and I am good at what I do. This is peak season and it is when we make money to see us through the winter. If I am not out on the boat then that leaves a lot of stuff for other people to catch," Ross continued. "It has hit us hard as I can't work and we don't have any lobsters to sell. It is a massive hit to us after also been targeted last year. It will be a long time before we can get back up and running."
The intruder was wearing a mask and a tracksuit with a distinctive The Stronghold hoodie with an emblem of a man on the back, reports Daily Record. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 7am on Friday, 28 July, 2023 we received a report that a boat had been damaged causing it to sink at Methil Dockyards, Harbour View, Methil. Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 0569 of 28 July, 2023."