Cruel Thief with sticky fingers steals “Wightlink” ship plaque on it’s final sailing

Following a really successful service decommissioning of St.Cecilia some low life has really marred the party after they stole the ships plack that had been put on display. St.Cecilia sailed across the Solent carrying passengers for the last ever time on Friday before retiring from the Wightlink fleet, she has been an icon on the Solent for so many years. From Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight come rain or shine in all weathers seven days a week. Staff worked their socks off for the event, whilst juggling work shifts and co-organising an awful lot of things in their own time. One staff member with their own cash purchased “The Celia beers” It was a tremendous send-off but sadly it has been marred by somebody helping themselves to a cherished piece of memorabilia. The Cochrane’s Shipyard “Ship 135” plaque was removed from the photo board by somebody as final disembarked at Gunwharf was carried out. The plaque is owned by a staff member. It was there, we turned our backs for literally just a moments and then it was gone they said. “I am truly, truly devastated,” they said. An appeal has now been launched for its safe return. I know how tempting memorabilia is but this was given to me when the bar was altered a decade ago and has been my favourite and most cherished item. It has lived at my home for the last 10 years in a special glass display case. I am devasted. It was not an item simply “from the office”, please return it and I am happy to simply put it aside as a misunderstanding. Anyone with information or if they know the whereabouts of the plaque can return it to its owner via Wightlink in an envelope C/O Wightlink ferries, Gunwharf Road, PO1 2LA) no questions asked,