| Theft of equipment from boats, trailers, | | | | of a crime, there are also measures you can |
| outboard engines and even entire boats is | | | | take to aid the police in recovering |
| still all too common, but there are many ways | | | | equipment and to assist your insurance |
| to minimise the risk to you.Your insurance | | | | company in settling your claim.Keep a note of |
| policy may list certain requirements, so | | | | your Hull Identification Number (HIN) or |
| check your policy carefully.Thieves are | | | | other unique identifiersRecord serial numbers |
| looking for easy targets, so look for ways to | | | | of outboard engines and other equipment |
| make their task more difficult. Consider any | | | | |
| measure to delay the thief, measures that | | | | Keep purchase receiptsPhotograph your boat |
| will cause a disturbance or any measure that | | | | from a number of anglesReport the theft to |
| will later identify the equipment as having | | | | the police and to your insurers as soon as |
| been stolen.Mark your equipment with your | | | | possible. Your quick action may result in a |
| postcode, name or the boat's name/sail | | | | speedy recovery.Buying a Boat?Check to |
| number. Consider using visible markings, | | | | ensure that it has not previously been |
| hidden markings, or both.Lock trailers, using | | | | stolen. |
| wheel-clamps, hitch-locks, even a padlock and | | | | |
| chain around an immovable object. Use good | | | | Be suspicious if serial numbers or Hull |
| quality locks and don't leave the key with | | | | identification Numbers are missing or have |
| the boat!Outboard engines should be locked to | | | | been tampered with.StolenBoats.org.ukThis is |
| the boat, using special clamping locks. | | | | a free database of Stolen Boats developed by |
| Alternatively remove the engine and place in | | | | UK Marine Insurers and the Police to record |
| locked storage.Keep loose equipment out of | | | | all stolen equipment and circulate details of |
| sight or better still, take it home with | | | | any theft to any person who has signed up for |
| you.Consider an alarm system for larger | | | | the Theft Alert emails.Patrick Altoft is a |
| boatsGet to know the other owners at your | | | | marine insurance broker with Noble Marine, a |
| marina or sailing club and look out for one | | | | specialist insurance broker providing boat |
| another. If you see any suspicious activity - | | | | insurance for most types of pleasure craft. |
| report it.If you are unlucky and are a victim | | | | |