A WILLITON firm more known for its oil storage tanks than its ocean-going vessels has come to the rescue of Watchet Sea Scouts.
DESO Engineering this week presented the scouts with two new kayaks to replace a pair which were stolen in a burglary earlier this year.
The Williton company has diversified into the manufacture of moulded plastic kayaks under the brand name Fat Yak Kayaks in a range of bright colours, including raging red, hot pink and electric blue.
The firm operates from a purpose-built £1 million factory on Williton's Roughmoor industrial estate and has traditionally manufactured rotationally-moulded plastic tanks for the storage of domestic central heating oil, water bowsers, diesel tanks for plant hire companies and generator tanks for mobile telephone communication masts.
Run by the Hawkins brothers - Tim, Nick and Matt - it was director Nick who was on hand to present the sea scouts with a pair of flaming orange kayaks.
The kayaks replaced two which were taken by thieves from the sea scouts' depot in Watchet's Mineral Yard at the beginning of February.
As well as two kayaks, the group also lost fuel tanks containing diesel, buoyancy aids and paddles in the £1,200 raid.
Pictured from the left at DESO are Watchet Sea Scouts assistant leader Helen Harding, Lawrence Roberts, Jessica Francis, Nick Hawkins of DESO, Shane Yaw, Lewis Chisling and sea scouts assistant leader Paul Chisling.
Photo: Steve Guscott