| Thieves are always on the lookout for easy | | | | no-one can look in. |
| targets. Don't make yourself and your boat an | | | | |
| easy target. Always follow these simple | | | | • Keep unused ropes, fenders and other |
| steps: | | | | items out of sight in your cockpit, lockers |
| | | | and cupboards - and always lock them. |
| • Never leave anything valuable on | | | | |
| display, however small and insignificant it | | | | • Make sure that your life raft and |
| may seem. Thieves steal first and think about | | | | outboard motor are secure, as these are |
| value later. | | | | valuable and attractive to boat thieves. |
| | | | |
| • Don't leave anything loose in the | | | | • When you go ashore from a dinghy, |
| cockpit or on deck. | | | | always remove your oars or paddles, rowlocks |
| | | | or pump, and secure the dinghy with a strong |
| • Don't leave your engine key in the | | | | chair and padlock. |
| ignition - always take it with you. | | | | |
| | | | • If you are the victim of boat theft, |
| • Keep your boat keys separate from | | | | call the police immediately and tell the |
| your engine keys. | | | | harbormaster or boatyard manager. Check to |
| | | | make sure that your boat is still seaworthy |
| • Always keep your boat locked when no | | | | and hasn't been badly damaged. |
| one is on board, even for a short time. | | | | |
| | | | • And, if you can, check that |
| • Use strong padlocks or rim locks on | | | | neighboring boats haven't been broken into as |
| all your hatches, entry points and cockpit | | | | well. |
| lockers. | | | | |
| | | | • Get to know other boat owners in |
| • Consistently check and improve the | | | | your marina and work together to keep the |
| security on your boat. It's a good idea to | | | | marina secure. You can do the following: |
| fit an alarm and use a visible sticker to say | | | | |
| that one is fitted. | | | | • Keep an eye on other boats, as well |
| | | | as your own. |
| • Make sure your cockpit lockers can | | | | |
| be properly locked, and check that your main | | | | • Report any strangers at the marina |
| hatch and fore-hatch are strong. | | | | to the harbormaster or yardmaster. |
| | | | |
| • Also think about having a strongbox | | | | • Don't give your marina access card |
| down below. If you don't think something is | | | | or key to other people. |
| secure, get it fixed. | | | | |
| | | | • Never tell anyone else the access |
| IMPROVE YOUR SECURITY | | | | code to the marina. |
| | | | |
| Once you've tied up alongside, always do a | | | | • Don't let strangers into the marina, |
| quick security check before going ashore. | | | | however genuine they may seem. |
| | | | |
| Always: | | | | • Keep the marina gate closed at all |
| | | | times. |
| • Lock anything valuable out of sight | | | | |
| in a strong locker secured by a strong | | | | Don't hesitate to act on these |
| padlock. | | | | recommendations today. Tomorrow may be too |
| | | | late. Always remember that thought, planning |
| • Lock up emergency money away from | | | | and intentions are great but in order to |
| other valuables. | | | | accomplish anything you must take action. |
| | | | Please do it today! |
| • Keep your curtains closed so that | | | | |