A RESCUE boat used to save dolphins and seals stranded in the estuary has been stolen by thieves.

The inflatable had been stored on a trailer at Leigh Motorboat Club, on Leigh Marsh, when it was dragged away.

The £2,000 boat is owned by British Diver’s Marine Life Rescue.

It helped in the attempted rescue of the whale which got stuck in the Thames in 2006 and has performed many similar operations.

Two years ago, it was used to warn water-skiiers off Canvey not to startle dolphins in the area and also helped rescue a whale in the River Orwell, near Ipswich.

Bob Archell, of Flemming Avenue, Leigh, has been a volunteer for the charity for the past 14 years.

He said: “Obviously, if there was a major incident like the Thames whale, we’d have to call in boats from outside our area and that is going to delay our response.”

The theft of the 4m Bombard Commando inflatable boat came just two weeks after the charity had an outboard motor stolen.

The motor was returned after two men tried to sell it to Essex Marine at Dauntless Boatyard and it was recognised.

Mr Archell, 57, said the boat is very distinctive because it has a soft bottom, a wooden bow locker and has C4 written on each bow in red.

“I have been checking Ebay and other sites where you can sell boats, but something unusual like this is going to stand out like a sore thumb.”

PC Dawn Smith, of the police marine unit in Burnham, said the boat had been stolen between Sunday, January 11, and Tuesday, January 13.

She said: “What people generally do is steal it and stick it in a garage somewhere, or round the back of house, while they wait for the dust to settle.

“So, if anyone’s seen one that’s not usually there we would like to hear from them.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Police Marine Unit at Burnham on 0300 3334444, extension 480404.