NOTTINGHAM Sea Cadets have been left landlocked after a brand new engine was stolen from one of their boats.
The theft happened at the charity's base on Waterside Way, next to Nottingham Racecourse.
The building was due to be used by the Army over the weekend for their contributions to the Riverside Festival, but when they arrived, the first call of business was alerting the police to the crime.
The engine was installed in the 40-year-old boat just a few months ago after the Nottingham branch of Sea Cadets won funding from the Ministry of Justice to the tune of £6,000 to revamp the boat, which had been out of action.
But without the engine and battery for the boat, which is primarily used to ensure children's safety when they are out on the water, many of the young cadets will not be able to finish their training.
Sue Dewey, chairman of Nottingham Sea Cadets, says the theft "beggars belief".
She said: "The powered boats that we have are used to teach kids everything about boat handling but also used as safety boats, so when they are out on the water sailing windsurfing or canoeing, we can stay close.
"It is so unkind and cruel what these thieves have done. It is terrible what has happened as this boat is so important to what we do."
As well as stealing the engine and battery, the thieves cut a hole in the back of the boat, leaving it sinking into the river.
Nottingham Sea Cadets offers young people between the ages of 10 and 18 a chance to learn about the maritime trade, gain new skills and make new friends.
Becky Carter, training officer for the group, said: "It means a ridiculous amount to us the engine being taken.
"We have events until the end of October and this boat was the main workhorse we were going to use.
"It is great for introducing the younger ones to the water and it takes seven or eight cadets, so with that taken away every day, it takes the experience away from people."
Thieves attempted to break into the building last month but the group believes its alarm system scared them off before anything was able to be taken.
A Nottinghamshire Police spokesman said: "The call to us came in at 8.15pm on Saturday. The theft is believed to have occurred at between 9.30pm on July 31 and 8pm on August 1."
Both the police and the club are appealing for witnesses to call 101 with any information.
