Recreational boat theft: a reality

According to figures from the insurance company CED, more than 1,200 pleasure boats are subject to theftdalism every year. The risk is therefore far from negligible and often represents very substantial financial losses.
Less than 5% of stolen boats and less than 1% of stolen outboard motors are ever recovered!

For boat owners, it is therefore essential to properly secure a moored boat or one in winter storage and to take a few precautions.

What motivates thieves

In most cases, thieves target the outboard motor, but they may also be looking for specific parts such as engine components (lower units, mechanical parts) or personal belongings. Sold on parallel markets through international networks, these items can generate significant profits.

The theft may be opportunistic (the thief is looking for a specific motor or part) or carried out on a larger scale by organized gangs. These groups are often based in Eastern European countries and can move stolen parts from the place of theft to a secure location abroad within hours.

The risk for moored boats

In ports with little or no security, or when your boat is left unattended at a dock near your holiday destination, thieves can easily gain access to it.
If they wish to commit the theft without being disturbed, they simply need to approach the boat in a dinghy, cut the mooring lines, and move the boat to a more isolated location to carry out their crime.
These thefts occur mainly from spring through autumn.

The theft of boats on trailers

This type of theft is more common than thefts in ports. It typically occurs in buildings used for winter storage or on trailers parked outdoors (on private property, driveways, courtyards, etc.).
The trailer coupling is often unprotected and the wheels are not always secured. It therefore only takes attaching the trailer to a towing vehicle to steal it.\

Therefore:

• Equip your trailer with a secure coupling lock and use an anti-theft padlock.
• Use a heavy chain to lock the wheels and/or attach the trailer to a solid anchor point.
• Install an additional anti-theft lock to secure the outboard motor.

Other precautionary and security measures

• Keep all boat identification documents in a safe place.
• Take photographs of your boat.
• Do not leave any valuables on board.
• Consider installing a boat tracking system based on GPS location.
• If your boat is of high value, you can also mark certain exterior or mechanical parts. This will deter thieves, make it more difficult to resell stolen parts, and facilitate identification.
• Choose comprehensive theft insurance coverage.
• Selling your boat? Make sure potential thieves cannot easily determine where your boat is stored. Share only your mobile phone number.

Police advice
If you discover a theft, the police recommend that you do not touch anything (and do not move the boat) so as not to destroy evidence that could help identify the offenders.
Immediately contact the authorities (police/harbor police) and your insurer, and gather any available evidence and witness statements.

Assistance for transporting or repatriating a pleasure boat

In its travel assistance contracts Redion provides technical assistance (transportation or repatriation of the trailer) if you are transported or repatriated for medical reasons and are therefore unable to drive the towing vehicle, if the boat trailer or the towing vehicle is repatriated, or in the event of theft of the towing vehicle.