CCTV shows shocking moment yob sinks fisherman’s ship in bizarre ‘vendetta’
A COUPLE are offering a 'substantial' reward for information after their lobster fishing boat was sunk - by a man with a drill.
Tina and Ross Coventry say their shellfish delivery business is facing crippling losses after the attack.
The couple provide lobster and mackerel to a number of high end restaurants.
But their boat, The Tina Louise, was attacked by a hooded man who drilled holes in the hull - causing it to sink in just four minutes on July 28.
They could have been 'ruined' by the incident if it was not for the charity of strangers - who so far have donated nearly £7,000 to help recover their boat.
They're now offering a substantial reward for any information that helps identify the hooded vandal.
Ross, 47, of Fife, Scotland, said: "It is devastating, this time of the year is peak season for lobster - you don't get many in winter.
"We have built up a good customer base of top end restaurants who have now lost their regular supplier.
"Because of the number of incidents in the area, police are now looking to see if there is a connection."
A spate of thefts in the area have also seen thousands of pounds worth of lobster stolen at Methil Dockyards in Fife, prompting a police investigation.
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The couple have also released CCTV images of a man walking to the boat carrying what appears to be a drill on the morning of the attack.
They claim that he climbed the security fence, and made his way directly to the Tina Louise, before drilling a number of holes in the hull below the waterline.
The water overwhelmed the bilge pump batteries and the boat sank a few hours later.
Ross said: "It took less than four minutes to destroy our livelihoods. We need to get the boat back on to dry land to see what the damage is and whether it is worth repairing.
"The hull can be fixed, but the engine has been in sea water for a whole week and the there is no hope of the electronics in it working.
"Even if it is a write-off we have to then go and find a boat and it isn't as easy as just buying a car.
"This is the busiest time of the year so not many are selling, and any new boat has to go through a number of tests and checks to make sure it is sea worthy."
Ross fears he could be left on dry land for a considerable amount of time, unable to work. The final repair bill could run into tens of thousands of pounds.
One of their customers, Vikki Wood of The Wee Restaurant in North Queensferry, has created a justgiving page to help support the couple.
She wrote on the justgiving page: "We know times are tough for everyone right now but as a large supermarket chain says 'every little helps.' Let's help to also restore Tina and Ross's faith in humanity."
Police Scotland say they are investigating the incident.
A spokesperson for the force said: "Around 7:00am on Friday, July, 28 we received a report that a boat had been damaged causing it to sink at Methil Dockyards, Harbour View, Methil.
"Enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference 0569 of 28 July, 2023."
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