Que Sera Sera

[limjamrace]

I do hope these people get their boat back!

For me to return back to base and find my livaboard gone would be disasterous!!

I have only had a car stolen once and the feeling of it all being a dream (nightmare) was bad enough.

My initial response would be to get on my bike and search straight away,but in this instance the boat was a lengthy distance from touch!

The no success of finding such a large object on a canal network averaging 1.5 mph does baffle me though!

Perhaps it has been lifted on to a low loader and exported across the channel as an organised crime thing!

It's horrible to suggest such things ,but i hope the Police can check on this angle!

But how do you check up on an item that has no chassis or series number hidden -only a name that has probably been removed. Sure lots of people have seen a boat on a trailer but who would stop and question ...Customs across the channel !

On another count when i first acquired my boat i had work done on it by a marine engineer. The work totalled to a lot more than 50p and i joked that i would do a runner..at such a slow pace!

He said that whatever direction i headed his 4 wheel drive vehicle could out run my boat..

Considering he knew all the access points to gain assistance to a broken down boat makes me think what better way to find a boat missing ! Not all Boat engineers have internet or have time to search the web waves and are out of touch with this forum!

Is there a national link to boat engineers requesting to be on the look out for absent canal boats?

David L.

[cheshire~rose]

Dave (Postcode) and I have done the section of the Staffs & Worcs between Calf Heath and Tixall wide today (by boat). We have posters in the boat windows and we asked for a poster to be put up in Misty's bar (Calf Heath) as well.

Tomorrow we will retrace our route back again.

[alan_fincher]

BTW any news of any of the other 'stolen' boats?

Yes,

 

I have been told that boat Kalzar taken from Brentford has been located, and recovered.

 

Perhaps it has been lifted on to a low loader and exported across the channel as an organised crime thing!

It's horrible to suggest such things ,but i hope the Police can check on this angle!

But how do you check up on an item that has no chassis or series number hidden -only a name that has probably been removed. Sure lots of people have seen a boat on a trailer but who would stop and question ...Customs across the channel !

 

Except that we are assured that weeks after it was taken it was still seen by reliable sources, undisguised, close to it's home base.

 

Now in that situation, I find it even more surprising that it has not been found.

 

Is there a national link to boat engineers requesting to be on the look out for absent canal boats?

David L.

 

There is a dedicated web-site

 

www.stolenboats.org.uk

 

where the insurers or police can post details of stolen boats, and this includes a section for narrowboats.

 

If a boat is posted there, emails are automatically sent to anybody who has registered with that site, and is interested in being alerted.

 

The existence of this site was pointed out very early on in this incident, and reminders issued about it since.

 

I would love an explanation as to why "Que Sera Sera's" details have still not been recorded there.

 

It seems like an opportunity missed to me, and would probably alert a lot more people than posters in member's boat windows.

 

Alan

[cheshire~rose]

There is a dedicated web-site

 

www.stolenboats.org.uk

 

where the insurers or police can post details of stolen boats, and this includes a section for narrowboats.

 

If a boat is posted there, emails are automatically sent to anybody who has registered with that site, and is interested in being alerted.

 

The existence of this site was pointed out very early on in this incident, and reminders issued about it since.

I would love an explanation as to why "Que Sera Sera's" details have still not been recorded there.It seems like an opportunity missed to me, and would probably alert a lot more people than posters in member's boat windows.

 

Alan

 

I have text Carole to tell her to request this is done. I suspect as there is no insurance interest in doing so and the Police seem to be dragging their heels about offering any assistance that will explain why it has not already been done.

[alan_fincher]

I have text Carole to tell her to request this is done. I suspect as there is no insurance interest in doing so and the Police seem to be dragging their heels about offering any assistance that will explain why it has not already been done.

Fair point !

 

If there is no valid insurer, and the Police aren't showing interest, I agree the owners could be struggling to get the details added.

 

My understanding is that the request has to come from one of those two sources, and the owners can't request it directly, (but I may be wrong).

[Ex- Member]

Except that we are assured that weeks after it was taken it was still seen by reliable sources, undisguised, close to it's home base.

 

Now in that situation, I find it even more surprising that it has not been found.

 

Have to agree. To me this seems to be well planned, bogus id prob stolen cheque or whatever. The point is why go to this trouble for a weeks free holiday. I really think this boat has been transported off somewhere, I do hope not though of course. But with the amount of people on this forum and the telegraph towpath thing, I would have thought this would have been found by now.

 

This boat was an easy target for a scam being advertised on flea bay, if there was a decent period of time between the hirers contacting the copule to rent to thie time they actually took the boat, then they would have had time to arrange disposal of the goods. Either selling it on or stealing it.

 

It's a shame the police are dragging their heels on this, the key to finding this boat IMO is concentrating on the hirers and additional 2 men plus car in car park, It's astonishing that with all the CCTV in this country that some business close by hasn't recorded this Silver Audi if it is confirmed as the car reported at the marina. Also I wouldn't give up on this, our CCTV system keeps footage for 30 days time lapsed 15 seconds, many modern systems are like this now, so this car could still show up on CCTV even this far on.

 

As i think it was Maylld stated if they used duff cheque or stolen cheque, they might have used it elsewhere on the canal.

 

All the reported searches of the canals people have posted must have surely covered most this area.

 

This boat is either well hidden, already changed identity, or well gone by road transport.

[cheshire~rose]

I have an urgent and very important update. I have just received a txt from Carole:

" Just found out the sighting a week last Thursday was not our boat - it was called Que Sera Sera. Makes us think that the other sightings may have been this boat"

 

I asked how they knew it was not their boat - the reply:

 

"The guy that saw it took a photo. A friend saw the photo today"

 

You will all be very aware that this means the boat we are looking for could be anywhere and any colour by now. We need to re-assess what we are looking for in the light of this new information

[stewey]

You will all be very aware that this means the boat we are looking for could be anywhere and any colour by now. We need to re-assess what we are looking for in the light of this new information

This was something I was really afraid of. As you so rightly say, the boat could be anywhere by now.

 

Stewey

[Ex- Member]

That's really uncanny, the last post I made i was going to repeat again that I didn't believe the sitings, but thought I would get lambasted as they seemed so definite. I have believed this all along and was why I was trying to get people to concentrate on the couple purchasing and the exact terms of the deal.

 

This is bad news as the boats identity has probably been changed and even possibly sold on by now. From the little info on this couple IMO they are clearly professional thieves scammers.

[Dominic M]

It would be very difficult to lift the boat out of the water without it being noticed. There are not that many places it can be done. Almost all (if not all) practical options are wharves which have people on site. The cranes are hugely expensive specialist items that woukld have to have been hired (I find it unlikely that this could be so well-planned that the people had their own crane) and then a flat bed lorry would be involved. And a crane again at the other end. I think that idea can be squashed forthwith.

[steelaway]

It seems to me we are looking for a Liverpool Boat with their standard engine grills and roof rails

With unusual port holes in the rear cabin.

Can we have the pictures back to remind every one.

 

Alex

[Dominic M]

That's really uncanny, the last post I made i was going to repeat again that I didn't believe the sitings, but thought I would get lambasted as they seemed so definite. I have believed this all along and was why I was trying to get people to concentrate on the couple purchasing and the exact terms of the deal.

 

This is bad news as the boats identity has probably been changed and even possibly sold on by now. From the little info on this couple IMO they are clearly professional thieves scammers.

And that seems highly improbable too, although technically possible in a private transaction between the people who hired it and some desperately naive sucker.

 

I am still bemused by the announcement that the sighting at Alrewas on March 18th is now known to be another 'Que Sera Sera'. The original post (from the owners) said the sighting was by an acquaintance who knew the boat. Which suggests this other Que Sera Sera must be reasonably similar and the same colour.

 

Once again, all sightings, mistaken or otherwise, have always been announced through the owners, and no one on this forum has ever seen the boat.

Edited March 28, 2009 by Dominic M

[Ex- Member]

(I find it unlikely that this could be so well-planned that the people had their own crane) and then a flat bed lorry would be involved. And a crane again at the other end. I think that idea can be squashed forthwith.

 

Think about it, what's the boat worth?

 

People don't go to the trouble of false id dodgy cheques for a weeks holiday?

 

The boat has been on e-bay for anyone to see, scammers spend hours on e-bay looking for easy targets.

 

To men at the marina? car removed? probably stolen.

 

They had a week from the time of hire, although if craned out this could have been arranged prior to hire and timed the boat to rendevoue miles away.

 

I do hope this isn't the case, but If I had to bet on it that's where my money would be.

[alan_fincher]

On Wednesday 18th March the boat was seen in Alrewas by an aqaintance of Carole & Tony's who knows the boat personally having been aboard. He was dog walking at the time. Because he was completely unaware that the boat had been stolen and knowing that it is regularly let out he saw nothing unusual about it until speaking to another friend 2 days later (Friday) who confirmed it had been stolen.

 

I have an urgent and very important update. I have just received a txt from Carole:

" Just found out the sighting a week last Thursday was not our boat - it was called Que Sera Sera. Makes us think that the other sightings may have been this boat"

 

I asked how they knew it was not their boat - the reply:

 

"The guy that saw it took a photo. A friend saw the photo today"

 

So the person who was personally acquainted with the boat, and had been aboard it, managed to mistake it for another boat that just happened to be called "Que Sera Sera" ?

 

And he chose to take a picture of it, although he knew nothing about it being stolen ?

 

And even when he learnt the boat WAS stolen, he didn't think it worth producing the picture ?

 

And, if we believe the evidence of the "Jim Shead" site, it's unlikely that there are any other "Que Sera Seras" of even vaguely the same length as this one.

 

Which bit have I got wrong here ?

 

I have been trying to keep an open mind on this, but are we really still expected to believe it ?

 

 

Once again, all sightings, mistaken or otherwise, have always been announced through the owners, and no one on this forum has ever seen the boat.

 

Exactly, something that has worried me intensely throughout, along with the boat allegedly being in on its home turf.

 

EDIT:

 

Before anybody picks up on the fact that I have quoted an alleged sighting on Wednesday 18th, whereas Rose is talking about one on the Thursday, apparently, I can find no mention of an Alrewas sighting on Thursday 19th, just the one by an "acquaintance" on the Wednesday. That's why I'm assuming both references are to the same thing, even though the days fail to agree exactly. I'm happy to be corrected if I've missed this "thursday" sighting amongst the (too) many threads on this topic.

Edited March 28, 2009 by alan_fincher

[Nightwatch]

Ho Hum!!

I'm saying nowt!!

 

Martyn

[johnjo]

So the person who was personally acquainted with the boat, and had been aboard it, managed to mistake it for another boat that just happened to be called "Que Sera Sera" ?

 

And he chose to take a picture of it, although he knew nothing about it being stolen ?

 

And even when he learnt the boat WAS stolen, he didn't think it worth producing the picture ?

 

And, if we believe the evidence of the "Jim Shead" site, it's unlikely that there are any other "Que Sera Seras" of even vaguely the same length as this one.

 

Which bit have I got wrong here ?

 

I have been trying to keep an open mind on this, but are we really still expected to believe it ?

 

 

 

 

Exactly, something that has worried me intensely throughout, along with the boat allegedly being in on its home turf.

 

EDIT:

 

Before anybody picks up on the fact that I have quoted an alleged sighting on Wednesday 18th, whereas Rose is talking about one on the Thursday, apparently, I can find no mention of an Alrewas sighting on Thursday 19th, just the one by an "acquaintance" on the Wednesday. That's why I'm assuming both references are to the same thing, even though the days fail to agree exactly. I'm happy to be corrected if I've missed this "thursday" sighting amongst the (too) many threads on this topic.

 

 

The only reference I can find to Thursday 19th march is this one from 'Keeping Up' posted March 21st.

 

I just had a text from Carole. Apparently the possible Alrewas sighting was at least a couple of days ago. They haven't managed to speak to the people who reported it, so there's no further info at the moment.

 

But I can't find the post that that refers too. I'm getting confused

 

Edited. Found it, crikey there are so many dead threads, anyway here it is [i think]

 

Posted March 20th

Hi all my parents have just had a possible sigting on the boat at ALREWAS they are now as we speak trying to find the source of the information to get more details as to when where direction and description of people and if anything changed on the boat will keep you posted as asap-

Out of interest is anyone near that area or within a two day cruise area either way of ALREWAS

 

regards

 

zoe (daughter of owner)

Edited March 28, 2009 by johnjo

[chris w]

It's only 4 days now to April 1st

[kienik]

This seems to get worse and worse as the days progress,

 

i have been out all day today looking for my first narrowboat, i think i have found it and am almost ready to put an offer on it.

 

i feel very saddened by this case and i for one will never ever rent/hire my boat out to anyone other than family.

 

Carole, i really truly hope you get your boat back in one piece and that the B******s that took it get what they deserve.

 

i am really concerned that the boat could be anywhere by now and that it could be sporting any type of livery, for Carole and Tonys sake i really hope that the boat is spotted very soon, for that reason i have put the word around at my local boatyard (on the shropshire union canl in cheshire). some of you may say why bother in cheshire................................................

 

Well this boat has been gone long enough for it to be ANYWHERE on the canal network

 

Carole & Tony my thoughts are with you and i wish you all the luck in the world

 

Nik

[cheshire~rose]

On Wednesday 18th March the boat was seen in Alrewas by an aqaintance of Carole & Tony's who knows the boat personally having been aboard. He was dog walking at the time. Because he was completely unaware that the boat had been stolen and knowing that it is regularly let out he saw nothing unusual about it until speaking to another friend 2 days later (Friday) who confirmed it had been stolen.

 

A Boater then saw it on Friday 20th between Alrewas and Shobnall "On a Mooring"

 

I have just spoken to Carole to ask for confirmation of exactly which of these sightings she was referring to with her latest update.

 

Surprisingly it is is in fact the "Wednesday 18th" sighting which up until now seemed so certain, Carole tells me the news has filtered through to her 3rd hand and the person who originally stated he had seem the boat on Wednesday is now saying it might have been Thursday and even though he took a photo, the photo is not available to Carole (throught the grape vine that has been feeding her the news)

 

I am deeply concered that there may have been someone feeding Carole news of sightings in order to throw people off the scent of the actual location of the boat.

 

The Police are planning to go and collect the CCTV footage (which up until now they have only viewed at the boatyard) so they can enhance the images as the only part of the car number plate that is visible on the footage is the "53"

 

It seems there is finally a police officer showing some interest - she is also investigating the theft of two other boats in the area it seems.

 

I am sorry I am unable to devote any further time to this today as I am aboard the boat with family and I need to close this PC down and spend some time being sociable. It might be tomorrow evening before I can log on again but if I do get any further updates I will endevour to get online to add them while enroute back to the mooring tomorrow.

[Keeping Up]

If anybody ever wants an example of how NOT to find a boat, the threads on this forum about this incident would suffice brilliantly!

 

(Edited for speelling mistooks)

Edited March 28, 2009 by Keeping Up

[alan_fincher]

Surprisingly it is is in fact the "Wednesday 18th" sighting which up until now seemed so certain, Carole tells me the news has filtered through to her 3rd hand and the person who originally stated he had seem the boat on Wednesday is now saying it might have been Thursday and even though he took a photo, the photo is not available to Carole (throught the grape vine that has been feeding her the news)

 

I am deeply concered that there may have been someone feeding Carole news of sightings in order to throw people off the scent of the actual location of the boat.

But, I repeat, the Wednesday 18th sighting is claimed to be by somebody who knew the boat personally, and had been aboard it.

 

It's therefore very hard to see how he could confuse it with a different one, (if that's what's being claimed ?).

 

They were previously thought to be a reliable source, so how can it now be claimed that they are feeding misinformation ?

 

If they know who the informant was, why can he not be questioned on the matter - if a smokescreen were being thrown, then surely they would have to be implicated ?

[johnjo]

If anybody ever wants an example of how NOT to find a boat, the threads on this forum about this incident would suffice brilliantly!

 

(Edited for speelling mistooks)

 

 

I have to agree, I'm beginning to wonder why I've been trying to keep the other thread going with upto date info when some of the supposed confirmed info I'm using is proving to be so unreliable and this can only serve now to confuse anyone wanting to help, I only started it to help clarify areas to look at for this weekend, so I feel I've done all I could to help.

 

I feel very sorry for the owners, I really do hope they find their boat intact and undamaged, but I can't help think it is long gone from the system bearing in mind the lack of sightings.

Edited March 29, 2009 by johnjo

[david and julie]

The Police are planning to go and collect the CCTV footage (which up until now they have only viewed at the boatyard) so they can enhance the images as the only part of the car number plate that is visible on the footage is the "53"

My first comment on this. I find it really odd how they can only see the "53" of a number plate. Assuming the "53" is part of a normal number plate(and not part of a private plate) then that "53" is the centre part of the numbers. I could understand seeing part of the numbers to say the left or right - but how do you just see the two that are in the middle? - very odd.

 

It's only 4 days now to April 1st

Certainly makes one wonder.

[Ex- Member]

I don't believe this is some kind of trick although I can understand the scepticism, and might end up looking an arse LOL

 

I think the lack of useful info is more down to sheer panic and possible embarrasement with regard to the circumstances of hire.

 

I believe this boat has most likely been craned and transported somewhere. I'm a member of a car forum with members all over the country, it might pay to ask members if they've seen a nb on a lorry somewhere as they do tend to stick out like a sore thumb so I,ll post a description of the boat on that forum, i think several members on hear are also members of car forums, so doing the same might help.

 

I appreciate that there was probably other boats on lorries over the fpast few weeks, but still someone might have noticed something specific or strange.

 

It's likely if transported the name might have been covered up, but unlikely the whole boat. Any wich way if this boat was transported by road a lot of people might have seen it depending on how far it might have travelled.

 

What I would say to the owners is you need to be a lot more forthcoming if you want to get this boat back. Start again with info you are definite about. I still say the payment method and circumstances of hire is important, these people could have tried to obtain a boat in similar circumstances and that info might ring a bell with someone. They could have already stolen one before, or even planning their next one.

[gaggle]

If someone offered me a cheque to hire a wheelbarrow i would refuse to let the barrow go , i thought cheque payments were long dead even with a bank card.

we are led to believe this boat has been handed over to strangers who have not been identified because they produced a cheque , no one took any details of them or the car.

how did these hirers make contact ? through ebay-well they should know enough to prove the service provider , by mobile telephone /pay as you go /withheld number , landline traceable .

who done the hand over , the parents who are for some reason not available , its like a badly thought out scam thats going tits up as each day passes

this whole thing is like a joke , cant wait to see if it is and what the punch line is.