The Anglesea theft of a trailer carrying “essential first-aid supplies” has shocked lifesavers.
The trailer, which also held surf carnival gear, disappeared last week with equipment worth $25,000, said Life Saving Victoria (LSV).
“The fully enclosed white trailer is used for surf boat carnivals and disappeared from the Anglesea Surf Lifesaving Club’s car park sometime overnight on 5 January,” LSV said.
“The trailer contains five anchors, 14 buoys, a PA system, referee materials, first-aid kits and spinal boards.
“The trailer, valued at $10,000, is also used as the officials’ beach shelter during carnivals.”
Victorian Surf Rowers League president Matt Culka said competitors and officials now had to borrow equipment from surf lifesaving clubs to run carnivals.
“It’s really disappointing this trailer has gone missing, as it contains essential first-aid equipment such as spinal boards and every piece of equipment needed to run a surfboat carnival,” Mr Culka said.
“The anchors are necessary for setting up the course for surf boat competitions but would be useless to anyone else as they are too heavy and big for fishing.
“We’re appealing for anyone who knows the whereabouts of the trailer or equipment to come forward.’’
Life Saving Victoria said the theft had been reported to Victoria Police.
The trailer’s registration was R72-527, LSV said.
The trailer’s disappearance was among a spate of alleged thefts along the Surf Coast as tourists descended for the peak summer holiday seasons.
Police were this week also investigating the disappearance of a ute and boat trailer from Torquay’s boat ramp car park last weekend.
The trailer was later discovered abandoned nearby on Horseshoe Bend Road, but the vehicle remained missing.
