Barbuda Council Chairman John Mussington says the removal of a national park boat amounts to theft. The vessel belongs to the Codrington Lagoon National Park.

According to Mussington, someone removed the boat without permission. The vessel was later transported to a private property.

Park Manager Raises Alarm

The issue first came to light when the park manager contacted Mussington. The manager reported that someone was removing the boat.

The individual reportedly claimed government officials had sold the vessel to him.

However, Mussington said the Barbuda Council had approved no such sale.

Therefore, he contacted police and filed a formal report. Officers recorded the matter in the station log.

Police Await Documentation

Police later spoke with the officials linked to the claim. They reportedly said paperwork confirming the transaction would follow.

However, days passed and no documents appeared.

Mussington then contacted the inspector assigned to the case. He asked whether police had received proof of the alleged sale.

The inspector confirmed they had none.

As a result, Mussington argued that the claim relied only on hearsay.

Boat Recovered

After waiting for documentation, Mussington decided to act. He authorised fisheries officers and the park manager to recover the vessel.

Officials located the boat on a trailer at a private property. The boat had previously been stored near the wharf.

However, the recovery effort faced a brief obstacle.

A vehicle blocked the path as officers tried to remove the boat. Mussington then contacted the property owner.

He explained that the Council considered the situation a theft.

Soon after, the obstruction cleared. Officers then transported the vessel back to the fisheries compound.

Council Warns of Legal Action

Mussington said the Council will defend its authority over the boat.

He warned that any further attempt to remove the vessel could trigger legal action.

The chairman also explained why the boat cannot be sold without approval.

The vessel forms part of a grant package funded by the European Union.

That grant helped establish the Codrington Lagoon National Park.

Because of those funding rules, park assets require approval before disposal.

Mussington said several agencies share responsibility for the park. These include the Barbuda Council, the National Parks Authority, and the Department of Environment.

He stressed that none of those bodies approved the sale.

Finally, Mussington noted that a hurricane damaged the boat’s engine. He believes the vessel should have been repaired instead of removed from the park.