“I was really stunned…Then disappointment set in because obviously there’s sentimental value with the boat,” Harris told NanaimoNewsNOW.

“It belonged to our dad. We’ve used that boat for lots of years for community initiatives. We have escorted for charity events and it’s the escort boat for the Harris Auto Group bathtub racing team.”

He said the boat, worth about $130,000, took on even greater meaning after it escorted the Harris tub to victory in nasty conditions during last year’s bathtub race, the day after Tom’s celebration of life.

“It was a boat he loved and enjoyed. We love it as a family and it’s really sad to see it taken away.”

The boat is a 22-foot Novurania inflatable speedboat with twin silver Yamaha motors on the back. It has white tubing with blue-grey accents, a centre console and bum rest, a raised rear seat with white padding and white search lights on the overhead stainless steel bar. The trailer’s licence plate is WEW O6F.

Harris said it’s a very unique boat. “I think there’s only a handful in all of B.C. If someone sees a similar boat around, it’s probably the boat.”

The truck involved is a silver 2005 to 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 club cab with factory 20-inch chrome wheels and tinted windows. The driver appears to be about five-foot-nine and heavy set. He was wearing grey pants, black shoes and a white cut-off shirt.

Harris said the security footage showed the truck drive by a few times about five minutes before the theft.

Anyone with information is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP or Crime Stoppers. Harris said they are offering a reward for any information which leads to the boat’s return and an arrest.

dom@nanaimonnewsnow.com

On Twitter: @domabassi