UPDATE, Wednesday, noon: Port Fairy police have released an image of a red vehicle used by an offender when he set adrift a $100,000 fishing boat late last week.
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Senior Constable Chris Vorwerk said the vessel Jasus was reported stolen after the owner found it missing from the Port Fairy wharf at 6am on Friday.
A review of security camera footage showed a man tampering with the moorings at 11.45pm Thursday.
The aluminium fishing boat was located soon after 7am at the mouth of the Moyne River near a rock retaining wall after a rope attached to the vessel became wedged in rocks.
Senior Constable Vorwerk said the offender had driven to the wharf in a red vehicle - similar to a Suzuki hatch.
"Police believe a red four-door Suzuki hatch, registration not known, was used by the suspect who tampered with the moorings of 45-foot fishing vessel JASUS at the Port of Port Fairy about 11.45pm on Thursday night," he said.
"That vehicle was definitely used by the offender. Damage valued at up to $10,000 was caused to the boat's sounder.
"Anyone with information about the vehicle, or who has knowledge about the offence, is requested to contact the Port Fairy police station on 5568 1007 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000."
Senior Constable Vorwerk said the infringement notice for interfering with, casting off or removing a vessel from a wharf or mooring was a $300 fine.
"But, in this case there has been significant damage caused to the vessel and if we can identify the offender we will consider changing him with causing criminal damage," he said.
"The circumstances are similar to someone releasing the handbrake of a vehicle parked at the top of a hill. We would argue that the person who undertook that action is responsible for the damage to that vehicle and/or any damage it caused," he said.
Friday: The Jasus skipper, who didn't want to be named, said he immediately contacted police when he found the vessel missing at 6am.
He said there was about $10,000 damage to the boat.
"It's a man's work, his living. It's not right," the shell-shocked fisherman said.
"I came to go to work and it just wasn't there. It was just lucky a rope caught on a rock near the mouth of the river or it would still be going."
The skipper requested that anyone with information contact the Port Fairy police on 5568 1007.
Earlier: A missing $100,000 45-foot aluminium fishing boat has been found damaged after it was set adrift.
Port Fairy police Senior Constable Chris Vorwerk said the vessel Jasus was reported stolen after the owner found it missing from the Port Fairy wharf at 6am this morning.
The boat was found at 7.15am at the mouth of the Moyne River near a rock retaining wall.
The vessel has been returned to the wharf and is reported to be seaworthy.
Senior Constable Vorwerk said there had been damage caused to a $10,000 sounder and the boat would be put on a slip to be inspected.
He said a review of security camera footage showed an unknown man tampered with the moorings of Jasus at the Port Fairy wharf about 11.45pm on Thursday.
It is believed the vessel was then set adrift.
"Port Fairy police members are investigating," he said.
"Water police advise us it is an offence to tamper with the moorings of a boat.
"The investigation is a work in progress. Anyone with information is requested to contact the Port Fairy police station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000."
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