AS SEEN IN THE NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2007 ISSUE 

Boat owners need to harden the target.

For most of the summer, boat thieves in South Florida have been hard at work. Statewide reports say that close to 500 vessels were reported stolen between April and June alone - a substantial increase over the same period last year.

In my home town of Naples, more than a few high-speed, long range center-consoles seemed to have vanished in the night. Far from inconspicuous, many of these 25-40 foot vessels were stored in owner’s backyards and secured on boat lifts. Still, experienced thieves were able to make off with the high-priced boats while their owners dreamt of landing trophy fish. Brazen thieves even attempted to steal the same 36’ Yellowfin twice, running into problems each time. Coincidentally, the summer also saw a large increase in the number of illegal migrants coming ashore – which is exactly what authorities blame the spike in boat thefts on. A boat load of two-dozen Cuban migrants can net a smuggler $250,000! After one or two “runs,” many of the stolen vessels from Florida, including more than one of the center-consoles from Naples, somehow turned up in Cancun. 

This rash of thefts has many boat owners and law enforcement officers taking proactive measures. Although there are a number of high-tech security systems now available - some quite expensive I might add - there are a number of less costly measures that may be just as effective.  

In any type of crime prevention, Naples police officer of 18 years, Sgt. John Barkley, recommends “Hardening the target - essentially making it extremely difficult and complicated to steal the vessel.” Barkley advises boat owners, “To create an environment in which thieves have to invest way too much time in.” 

For owners who keep their boats on lifts, this can be accomplished by installing locks on boat lift boxes or even shutting down the breaker that powers the boat lift. Boat owners are also advised to install motion sensor lighting in their back yards that is going to make the subject visible and brighten the surrounding area. Any type of device or measure that is going to make “noise” will harden the target, too. There are a number of inexpensive motion detectors with audible alarms now available as well. Similarly, if thieves have to hack off any kind of lock which is going to create a lot of noise, they may think twice about stealing your boat. While some of these measures may be a slight inconvenience to those who like to hop in their boat and go, they can provide a great deal of security to your prized possession.

Barkley, who is also a Florida Crime Prevention Practitioner (FCPP), advises boat owners to remove any electronic devices or gear that is not permanently fixed to the vessel. Owners are also encouraged to engrave all of their expensive equipment with their driver’s license number. With this information, stolen merchandise can be tracked by law enforcement and hopefully recovered.

Naples City Police in particular, have also taken proactive measures. Marine Patrol units have gone through all of the canals in the city and done a manual count of the vessels that are likely targets, and noted whether the vessels are on lifts or in the water. They have also increased nighttime patrols, paying special attention to the areas in which the targeted boats are located. Since taking these steps, it appears the thieves have gone elsewhere.

Unfortunately, the insurance industry has taken note of the crime spree, too. Ace Insurance, one of the largest writers in the small boat market, has altogether ceased writing new policies on certain triple engine models with large fuel capacities. While, according to Marc Williams, Vice President of Lutgert Insurance, many companies still writing new policies have increased premiums on the type of boat in question anywhere from 30-40 percent as a result. Though premiums have increased, Williams says that some carriers are now offering credits in the neighborhood of 5–10 percent of the premium for vessels equipped with security systems with GPS tracking capabilities. 

With the obvious increase in illegal migrant smuggling, boat owners in the Sunshine State need to take the necessary measures to protect their go-fast vessels. And since smugglers are getting up to $15,000 “per head,” it is likely that an increasing number of shady individuals will try to get in on the act. Therefore, perhaps the installation of a high-tech security system is well worth your time and investment. I mean think about it; if you invested in a $250,000 Ferrari, would you leave it sitting in your driveway with no alarm system?

(sidebar)
There are a vast number of security systems and GPS tracking devices available on the market. Some of these state-of-the-art systems offer the best in invisible security detection with sensors that can be mounted under a boat's decking, hidden cameras and even hidden microphones. Others offer remote “Kill Switches” which can be triggered from anywhere on the globe. Once an alarm is sounded, notification is sent to owner through email and/or phone call. Peace of mind comes with knowing your vessel is secure. Listed below are just some of the many manufacturers offering such products.

theboatnanny.com
geosatsolutions.com
marineguard.net
silvertipmarine.com
gpsanywhere.com
usboatalarm.com

(pic of the BoatNanny to laptop, PDA, cell, etc…..see me.)

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