Crime Reduction - Helping to Reduce Crime in Your Area

Vehicle Crime

Keep your boat secure

If you are a boat-owner, it's important that you take the security of your boat as seriously as you would the security of your home. Thieves are attracted to all kinds of things on boats. They could steal your outboard motor, life-raft or expensive marine equipment. They'll also steal anything else that takes their fancy - radio, tools, personal items and even the boat itself.

Don't make your boat attractive to thieves in the first place

Thieves are always on the lookout for easy targets. Don't make yourself an easy target. Always follow these simple steps.

  • Never leave anything valuable on display, however small and insignificant it may seem. Thieves steal first and think about value later.

  • Don't leave anything loose in the cockpit or on deck.

  • Don't leave your keys in the ignition - always take it with you.

  • Keep your boat keys separate from your engine keys.

  • Always keep your boat locked when no-one is on board, even for a short time.

  • Use strong padlocks or rimlocks on all your hatches, entry points and cockpit lockers.

Improve your security

Review and improve the security on your boat regularly. It's a good idea to fit an alarm and use a visible sticker to say that one is fitted. Make sure your cockpit lockers can be properly locked and check that your main hatch and fore-hatch are strong. Also think about having a strongbox down below. If you don't think something is secure, get it fixed.

Before you go ashore (including landing from a dinghy)

Once you've tied up alongside, always do a quick security check before going ashore. Always:

  • lock anything valuable out of sight in a strong locker secured by a strong padlock;

  • lock up emergency money away from other valuables;

  • keep your curtains closed so that no-one can look in;

  • keep unused ropes, fenders and other items out of sight in your cockpit lockers and cupboards – and always lock them; and

  • make sure that your life raft and outboard motor are secure, as these are valuable and attractive to boat thieves.

When you go ashore from a dinghy, always remove your oars or paddles, rowlocks or pump, and secure the dinghy with a strong chain and padlock.

If you have a break-in

If you are the victim of boat theft, call the police immediately and tell the harbour master or boatyard manager. Check to make sure that your boat is still seaworthy and hasn't been badly damaged. And, if you can, check that neighbouring boats haven't been broken into as well.

Be a good neighbour

Get to know other boat-owners in your marina and work together to keep the marina secure. You can do the following.

  • Keep an eye on other boats, as well as your own.

  • Report any strangers at the marina to the harbour master or yard master.

  • Don't give your marina access card or key to other people.

  • Never tell anyone else the access code to the marina.

  • Don't let strangers into the marina, however genuine they may seem.

  • Keep the marina gate closed at all times.

Keep a list of serial numbers

Keep a list of all the serial numbers on valuables like your radio, navigation equipment or outboard motor. Keep a copy of the list at home and on your boat. This can help you, the police and your insurance company if you have a break-in.

Boat marking system

HPI Ltd is working with the British Marine Federation and the Home Office to tag both new and second-hand boats under the new Boatmark scheme. The electronic tags are programmed with the unique 14-character Hull Identification Number (HIN), introduced as a standard feature of all new boats in 1998. Once the number has been put on the boat, it is very difficult to destroy the boat's original identity tag.

The tags will be fitted by people who build new boats or by the owners. In both cases, the boat's identity and specification will be linked to the information carried by the tag and recorded on the Boatmark database, allowing both the police and buyers to find out if a boat has been stolen.

You can get more information about Boatmark by phoning 01722 413346.

Crime prevention officers

The crime prevention officer at your local police station can give you helpful crime prevention advice.

And finally, remember:

  • mark everything that you buy for your boat with your home postcode;

  • keep your list of serial numbers up to date;

  • take your ship and personal papers with you – don't leave them on board;

  • don't leave your home address on show; and

  • keep everything securely locked away because your insurance company may not pay out if you don't.

This advice is also available on the Home Office leaflet 'Keep your boat secure'. Download the boat security leaflet PDF 129Kb.

Last update: 13/11/03

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