A €60,000 high-powered speedboat belonging to a local scuba diving centre has been stolen from Marina del Sur in Las Galletas, in the south of Tenerife, raising concerns that boats in the Canary Islands are increasingly being targeted by organised criminals.
The Neuvisa 750 sports RIB, fitted with a powerful 250hp Honda outboard engine, was taken from its mooring at the marina during the night.
According to information given to the owners by police, CCTV footage shows the thieves boarding the vessel and spending only a few minutes getting it started before simply driving it out of the marina under its own power.
They reportedly left the harbour without using any navigation lights, disappearing into the darkness at sea.
Police are currently keeping details of the investigation under wraps and no suspects have yet been identified. However, officers have obtained CCTV footage from the marina which is now being examined as part of the investigation.
One of the possibilities being considered is that the boat was stolen for use in drug trafficking, or alternatively as a support vessel to transport fuel to high-powered boats operating offshore.
Were the thieves watching the boat beforehand?
Perhaps even more concerning is the possibility that the theft may have been planned for some time.
The owners say that during the previous three months several items had mysteriously disappeared from the boat, including a JBL speaker and diving weights.
Initially, these incidents were regarded as relatively minor thefts. However, following the disappearance of the entire boat, there are now suspicions that the earlier incidents could have had another purpose.
The owner says police suggested that those responsible may have been watching both him and the boat for some time.
This raises the possibility that the earlier thefts could have been used to test access to the marina, establish how security operated, or familiarise themselves with the boat and its location before returning to steal it.
This has not been confirmed by investigators and remains one of the theories surrounding the case.
The theft is particularly alarming because Marina del Sur is not an isolated or unsecured mooring. The marina, located in Las Galletas in the municipality of Arona (south Tenerife), has 176 berths and is home to numerous recreational boats and nautical businesses, including diving and excursion operators.
The port also has 24-hour security, making the apparent speed and ease with which the thieves were able to take the vessel particularly concerning.
Second high-value boat theft in the Canary Islands
The Tenerife incident follows another high-profile boat theft reported recently in Mogán, Gran Canaria.
In that case, a recreational boat valued at approximately €45,000 disappeared from its mooring before later being found drifting in waters some distance from the coast.
CCTV footage reportedly showed two people entering the marina while concealing their identities and acting together. One managed to start the vessel before taking it out of the harbour.
The Guardia Civil subsequently identified two men who are now under investigation in connection with that theft, although officers have not ruled out the involvement of other people.
The similarities between the incidents will inevitably raise questions among boat owners and marina operators about whether high-powered vessels are being deliberately targeted.
At this stage, however, there is no evidence confirming that the Tenerife and Gran Canaria cases are connected.
Concern over boats being used by criminal groups
The suggestion that the stolen Tenerife RIB could be destined for drug trafficking or fuel-running comes amid increased police attention on the use of high-powered boats around the Canary Islands.
Only last week, nine people were arrested in Gran Canaria during an operation targeting the suspected illegal supply of fuel to a high-speed RIB.
Guardia Civil officers intercepted four large vans and seized numerous fuel containers as well as two tanks capable of holding 1,000 litres each.
Police said the activity was consistent with the practice known as “petaqueo”, in which large quantities of fuel are transported and supplied to boats operating offshore, potentially allowing high-powered vessels to remain at sea for extended periods.
For the Tenerife diving centre, however, the immediate priority is recovering a valuable boat which is also an important part of its business.
Police investigations are continuing and officers are studying the available CCTV footage in an attempt to identify those responsible and establish where the boat went after leaving Marina del Sur.
Anyone who saw the Neuvisa 750 RIB leaving Las Galletas, or who has information regarding its current whereabouts, should contact the police.
