Giant dock stolen from Tampa nonprofit

TAMPA (FOX 13) - A large, floating dock was stolen from a local nonprofit last week from the Hillsborough River.  The Stewards Foundation reported to police that its 50 foot dock was missing from a canal near Washington and 50th streets. 

The nonprofit, that trains students from schools all across the area how to row, had the dock installed in 2017.

"Immediately, it's gone," said Joe Haney, one of the foundation's rowing coaches. "We can't replace that, it's $30,000."

Tom Feaster, the director of the Stewards Foundation, said they received notice of the missing dock from a local high school rowing coach.

Feaster said this is the second theft the foundation has faced in recent days. About a week ago, the foundation filed a report with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office after someone broke into a storage facility of US Highway 301. The thieves got away with motors and trailers.

"You're already like down on one knee from the first break-in, and it's really difficult," said Haney, after learning the team's dock was stolen, too.

The Tampa Police Department is investigating the stolen dock, but did not release a report, citing the case is still under investigation.

In the meantime, the foundation plans to use other docks to continue to train its teams.

"Our process in any athletic event is when you get beat you, got to come back," said Feaster.