Adam Samms is pretty emotional when talking about his family boat, which he has owned for more than a decade.
“I do a lot of remote camping in different areas,” said Samms, who came to Campbell River around 13 years ago from the Northwest Territories in search of better opportunities in his nursing career. “I boat year-round. Even when it’s favourable in the winter time, I go out boating.”
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The wear and tear on the boat called for a few repairs, including a new paint job. On May 3, he dropped the boat off at S&S Fibreglass in Campbell River.
It was the last time Samms saw his vessel. Around a week later, on May 9, he received a text from the proprietor of the business, Joe Silvey.
“I got a text about whether I had picked it up,” said Samms. “I got in contact with him right away. I said I had not touched the boat. I knew then right away that it was stolen.”
For Samms, who is raising two young children, aged 14 and nine, it has made him increasingly edgy about his possessions, as well as a talk with his daughter, who is aware of what has happened.
“I’m more paranoid now,” said Samms. “I just bought a couple of mountain bikes. I’m paranoid they are going to be stolen. I grew up in a small town where we didn’t lock our doors. My daughter, she spends a lot of time with me out on the boat; I’ve taught her how to use it. It’s something she looks forward to, but she can’t figure out why someone would do that to us. She’s never had to think about that before.”
Although Samms remains optimistic for a happy reunion with his boat, he is also very vary of such an outcome.
“My boat is a constant every time we come home. It was always sitting on the driveway,” said Samms. “With that empty space, it’s a reminder that it’s gone. Someone has it, and they shouldn’t. We just wonder where it is — it’s kind of a part of the family. It’s not a person but it’s been around so long. We’ve put so much time and effort into improving and working on it to keep it safe for the family. It’s a real violation of that.”
If you have details about the stolen boat or any other crime, call the Campbell River RCMP at (250) 286-6221.
Edward Hitchins
edward.hitchins@campbellrivermirror.com
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