Boat stolen from its moorage as owner watched helplessly

The owner of a boat moored in Port Susan Bay near Tillicum Beach watched as thieves boarded his vessel Thursday morning and drove it away.

Mark Williams, of Camano Island, said it was just by chance that he glanced out his window about 7 a.m. and saw three men approach his 2004, white, 23-foot Seaswirl Striper in a small motorboat.

He quickly donned a pair of binoculars to see the situation unfold from his high-bank home.

One man got off the smaller vessel, boarded his boat, put a tow on the smaller craft, started the engine and quickly disappeared via Port Susan Bay in a southerly direction.

"I couldn't believe my eyes!" said Williams, who dialed 911 as the theft occurred. "These people had a plan."

He estimates his boat was worth about $50,000. As of press time, the boat had to be recovered.

Island County Sheriff Office Sergeant Brian Legasse said there have been boat thefts on central and south Camano but they are typically being stolen right on boat trailers which he speculates are then stripped immediately for parts.

He said it is more unusual to have boats stolen right from its water moorage site.

The theft of the William's boat remains under investigation, said Legasse.

Legasse cautions those who have boats buoyed in the bay to remove the key from the ignition, secure boats on trailers by closing hitches and use pad locks.