Deterring Boat Theft

As recreational boating remains highly popular and people are buying more accessories and personal high-tech gadgets, theft of marine property and personal property is a crime of opportunity too hard for some people to ignore. When theft happens to you, especially when it involves your boat, recreation and personal property, it makes you feel violated, upset and well -- a few other things, too.

A lot of theft can be avoided through simple deterrence – don’t make your personal items readily available to thieves. When it comes to protecting your boating and fishing gear, use a little more deterrence. Securing your personal watercraft or boats may involve the highest extent of theft deterrence.

Be aware that thieves target boats under 20 feet long, personal jet-propelled watercraft, and boats that are easily stored and trailerable. Thieves strike at anytime, though popular times include before daybreak, just before sunset, Mondays, the day after a holiday weekend, and during the “off-season.”

Here are a few theft deterrence tips you may want to consider during the boating season:

• Do not leave personal items like the boat ignition key, car keys, cell phone, wallet or purse, backpack, or laptop computer out in the open and unattended. An amazing amount of personal property thefts from boats occur because personal items are left out in the open and are begging to be taken.
• When docking your boat at a marina or public dock and leaving it unattended, especially for a period of time, remove fishing gear, electronic gear (when capable), and your boat registration. This tip also applies if your boat and trailer become disabled and must be left along a roadway. Thieves will take what they can get. Electronics and fishing gear generally top the list of targeted items.
• If you store your watercraft away from home, be sure the marina or parking area is secured with fencing, adequate lighting and security cameras. When storing a trailerable boat at home, the best practice is to hide it from view. If this is not possible, then don’t leave the boat trailer tongue facing the street. Block the trailer, add wheel locks, and put a lock on the hitch receiver.
• Try to make yourself aware of any public signage and local information that may alert you to areas where marine theft has been detected or is perceived to be a concern for other boaters.

Consult with a state watercraft officer and your insurance agent to learn additional theft deterrence tips, how to uniquely mark your property with identifier marks and how and where to report boat-related thefts. All vessels are required to have a H.I.N. (hull identification number), and should be checked to ensure it is properly marked.

Additional safety information is available online (see Safety Tips).