How to stop theft on your boat
The cooler months and reduced boating activity are an invitation for theft. Read up...For as long as boaters have dropped anchor and headed to shore, pirates have pilfered boats for their riches. Centuries on, nothing has changed, with boat theft on unsecured craft remaining a big issue.
Regardless of where you are, water police urge all property owners to take some simple precautions to ensure your valuables are safe and sound.
Officer in Charge of the Cairns Water Police, Sergeant Andrew Ibell, encourages boaties to take the same approach to vessel and equipment security as they should for home and vehicle security.
His warning was prompted by a brazen theft where $7000 worth of fishing, diving and marine equipment was
stolen from a vessel off Cairns. The boat had been left anchored near a local
island overnight whilst the owners stayed ashore.
STORE IT WHEN YOU MOOR IT
Thefts from moored or trailered vessels are common and items stolen can easily be transported away from the scene. These include fishing or diving equipment, electronics, fuel containers and batteries.
"If you cannot secure your trailered vessel within a locked shed or garage while at home or travelling away, where possible, remove all loose items of value from the vessel or lock them within a cabin or storage compartment," Sergeant Ibell advises.
OUT OF SIGHT
If you are leaving your vessel unattended in a marina or anchorage, even for a short time, store valuables securely and place other equipment out of sight.
"Most thefts that occur from vessels are carried out by opportunistic offenders who see the items unsecured and steal them," Sergeant Ibell says.
"The marine environment is not exempt from opportunistic thieves. We don’t want your trip ruined either, so please store it when you moor it!"
ALARMS AND RECORDS
Besides the above good advice, we also recommend you consider a boat
alarm, the DataDot ID system and, just in case, keep a file at home of
all the equipment aboard with their relevant serial numbers and
receipts.
Here are more Boat Security Tips from a previous article compiled with assistance tom NSW Police
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