Gardaí in Clare are warning boat owners to take steps to secure vessels and equipment.
It follows a number of reports of the theft of equipment from boats in Kilrush and Killaloe.
Between 2 and 3am on May 10th, entry was gained to a boatyard in the Marina, Kilrush and a handheld VHS radio and a Suzuki sailing boat engine were stolen, while two 6-foot long pine timber oars were stolen from a boat at Canal Bank in Killaloe.
Clare’s Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Triona Brooks says boats and boating equipment are at a greater risk of being stolen because they are easily movable, with a lot of boat crime opportunistic by nature.
What measures can you take for securing your boat?
-Where possible moor your boat in an area that has good natural surveillance – somewhere that maximizes the ability to see what is occurring in that space. Consider cutting back vegetation and installing lighting and CCTV.
-If possible, remove your outboard engine after use.
-If the engine cannot be removed, consider detaching the plastic cowling (cover) and replace it with a PVC engine cover when not in use – this makes the engine less attractive to thieves.
-Lock the engine using accredited locks. As well as locking the engine to the boat, a secondary chain and lock should be used to lock the engine to an external robust anchor point on the pier or mooring post.
-Consider installing a GPS tracker into a concealed part of the engine and record the serial number and take a photographs of your engine.
What should you do when leaving your boat for a period of time?
– Close cabin curtains before leaving your boat moored or parked, preventing passers-by from viewing cabin contents or layout.
– Remove all equipment from your boat and keep it locked and out of sight elsewhere.
– Make sure your boat is checked regularly. If the boat is left for long periods of time, ensure that someone else is able to check on your boat.
– Secure outboard motors to immovable objects around the marina using quality locks and chains.
What about parking at home?
– Where possible reverse a boat with an outboard engine close to a wall or building to make it more difficult to lift the engine off.
– Keep the boat and trailer out of sight of the road and the engine out of public view. Ensure the trailer hitch is not easily accessible.
– Park another vehicle or other large object in front of the trailer to obstruct its removal.
– Consider installing ground or wall anchors for this purpose.
