A 58-foot-long houseboat stranded in a marsh by Hurricane Irene was the latest target for metal thieves, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

The owner of the grounded vessel reported two suspicious people, who fled when confronted, to the sheriff’s office March 14. She then noticed that aluminum swim platforms, ladders, railing and other nautical fittings had been removed, said a sheriff’s office statement.

Sheriff’s Investigator Wesley Waters obtained warrants charging Zachary Brett Burbage, 23, of Burbage Road, Bath, and Daniel Paul Padilla, 21, of Slade Farm Road, Bath, each with one count of breaking and entering a boat and one county of felony larceny.

Maj. Kenneth Watson of the sheriff’s office said the men charged have many previous charges for similar crimes. Padilla was arrested May 3, and Burbage was arrested Saturday.