Mooloolaba Marina break-in: Thieves cut fence, nab Sunshine Coast boat

A hardworking family is devastated after thieves stole their $100k boat from a Sunshine Coast marina, but it was what was stolen on board that has inflicted the most pain.

Thieves cut a massive hole in the fence to take a boat, worth more than $100,000 at the Mooloolaba Marina.

A hardworking family is devastated after thieves cut a massive hole in the fence of a Sunshine Coast marina and stole their boat worth more than $100,000.

Tradesman and dad-of-one Andrew Scotland, 40, is upset not only because his custom-built boat is now gone but 15 years worth of marks, or good fishing spots, have also been stolen.

The 6.8m aluminium plate boat, an Offshore Marine Master, was parked in the hardstand area of the Mooloolaba Marina.

Sunshine Coast Water Police Acting Sergeant Murray Lyons said officers believed the boat was taken between 10pm and 10.40pm on Sunday night.

Thieves cut a hole in the fence and also pushed over a fence post with their vehicle during the break-in.

Footage filmed from a distance shows the vehicle believed to be involved in the incident was a trayback white four-wheel drive similar to a Toyota Hilux.

“The boat motor was down, it was clear from the damage,” Acting Sergeant Lyons said.

Andrew Scotland, 40, and Francesca Molina, 28, are devastated after their boat was stolen from the Mooloolaba Marina on Sunday night.

“Someone may remember a boat being towed with the motor down, it would have cleared the bitumen but not by much.”

Police believe the boat was stolen via Brisbane Rd and officers will doorknock Parkyn Pde today in an effort to find more CCTV footage of the incident.

Mr Scotland’s partner, Francesca Molina, said the couple bought the boat in 2017 before they had their baby, who is nine months old, and they used the boat frequently.

“We used to go up north, sleep on the boat for days and Andrew is a mad fisherman so any time the weather is good he was out on the boat,” she said.

The 6.8m aluminium plate boat, an Offshore Marine Master, was stolen from the Mooloolaba Marina.

“It’s a real kick in the teeth because this week is perfect weather to fish offshore.”

The 28-year-old lawyer said her partner clocked on six days a week in his own rendering business and he had “worked so hard in the first place” to buy the boat worth more than $100,000.

“It’s got an extra motor and a really good sounder and Andrew is so devastated because he has 15 years worth of marks and he’s got no back-up,” Ms Molina said.

“So all of his hard work is gone too.”

Acting Sergeant Lyons said anyone with information about the boat or with CCTV footage should come forward via Policelink.