OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Federal law enforcement are investigating the theft of a 12-foot Zodiac Pro rescue boat, belonging to Clallam County, near Camp David Jr.
The 12-foot 2013 Zodiac Pro boat with a 2003 Honda outboard motor was stolen sometime between 7:30 p.m. Sunday and 1 p.m. Monday, the Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook on Wednesday.
“It’s a huge bummer,” said Joel Winborn, director of the county parks, fair and facilities department.
He said the bright-red inflatable 2003 Zodiac Pro cost the county about $6,500. The Honda 20 horsepower pull-start outboard motor cost about $2,800.
What the theft of the boat means for Camp David Jr. is that groups who visit will not be able to take canoes far out into the lake. All activity in the water will need to stay near the shore, he said.
“It was our rescue boat,” he said. “If there was a situation to occur, we wouldn’t have any way to get out to people.”
He said the boat was likely stolen overnight. It was in the water in anticipation for groups that were going to the camp, he said.
“Whoever took it came in the dark,” he said. “We went around the lake with the national park boats.”
He said the timing of the theft is rough. The camp opened for the season in April and is now “in the heart of the season.”
He said the county is looking at how it will replace the boat and is in discussions with its insurance.
“It’s just kind of a cruddy thing to happen,” he said.
The boat has a grey painted wood storage box mounted to the hull with two commercial life jacks.
It also has an orange flat rectangular 3-gallon container with “Honda” and “Camp David Jr” on it.
Anyone with information regarding the stolen boat is urged to contact Olympic National Park Ranger Peter Maggio at 360-565-3115. The Olympic National Park Case Number is NP18092034.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
