Teen charged after group of ‘tinnie rats’ destroy boat on Gold Coast

Police have provided an update after a group of youths allegedly sank a Gold Coast pair’s sailing boat while performing dangerous stunts, sharing the footage online.

A 15-year-old boy has been charged after a sailing boat was sunk by a group of youths on tinnies and jetskis on a popular Queensland waterway.

Noe Chambon and Daniel Cooke purchased a 10m sailboat about five months ago that was stationed on the Coomera River, a popular waterway on the Gold Coast.

A sailing boat was sunk by a group of youths. Picture: Nine.

However, while Mr Chambon was overseas on March 30, a group of youths who refer to themselves as “tinnie rats” sank their beloved boat.

The tinnie rats frequently drive jetskis and tinnie boats erratically and dangerously, filming themselves in the process and sharing clips online.

A Queensland Police spokesperson said a group of youths broke the fibreglass hatch and gained access to the boat about 1pm on March 30.

“The group allegedly used two jet skis to tow the vessel along the Coomera River, where it was damaged, run aground, and ultimately sunk after a hole was created in the hull,” they told News Corp.

The so-called ‘tinnie rats’ film themselves performing dangerous stunts on jetskis and tinnie boats Picture: Nine.

The group of youths caused significant damage to the sailboat after dragging it by the mast on a jetski. Picture: Nine.

On March 31 about 9pm, Mr Chambon’s partner Zali and Mr Cooke discovered a young man sitting on the partially submerged sailboat while filming another on a tinnie. He told the pair the boat was sunk by “like 15 people” who filmed the entire incident and uploaded it on social media.

“They showed us all the videos of it being towed (and) lots of people standing on it,” Zali told A Current Affair.

The video showed a black and yellow jetski towing the sailboat by its mast, tipping it to the side and dragging it into the water.

The boat was dragged by its mast and tipped on its side. Picture: Nine.

According to the owners, the boat’s hatch was damaged, and a hose connected to an opening below water level was disconnected.

The owners estimate it would cost them $60,000 to $80,000 to repair the boat.

While the boat has since been recovered, the owners have to return a few times a week to remove the water build-up, which causes it to sink further.

The owners have managed to learn the identities of two people believed to be involved in the incident but have urged for more to be done to stop it from happening in the future.

”If you’re going around on your own little boat, stealing and sinking boats, I don’t think you should ever have a boat licence again,” Mr Cooke said.

The boat continues to fill with water. Picture: Nine

Queensland Police said a 15-year-old Paradise Point boy had since been charged with one count of unlawful use of motor vehicle, aircraft or vessel and was dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.

“Gold Coast police take reports of reckless or unlawful behaviour on local waterways seriously,” the police spokesperson told NewsWire.
“Actions that endanger the safety of others or result in damage to property will not be tolerated.”

The spokesperson said they would continue to investigate the incident.

“These behaviours are not only dangerous but also criminal in nature, and police will investigate and take enforcement action,” they said.

Anyone with information or footage of the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Teen charged after group of ‘tinnie rats’ destroy boat on Gold Coast