Attempted theft - Cascais Portugal

[Arigatou]

We are currently in Cascais - a wonderful place. We are anchored in the bay. We have been taking our dinghy to the fishermans pontoon when we go ashore as opposed to the marina side, because its closer. For the first few days we did not have any problems. However, yesterday a bunch of kids (15-18) on their summer holidays decided that they would try and steal our anchor and motor. They had already stolen our petrol can and had hidden it amongst the fisherman 'debri'. When threatened with police they miraculously found the can and returned it. Luckily they could not get the anchor off and we arrived back at the dinghy as they were in the process of trying to get the motor. They also flooded another dinghy - just for kicks - that was moored nearby. It does not strike me as a place where this happens a lot though. It maybe a better option to moor at the marina side and walk the extra distance (not that much further). So far no one has had any problems with us mooring at the marina side and other boats do the same without hassles so I am assuming its ok.

 

[GrahamM376]

Unfortunately it's a growing problem although not as bad as Spain. Kids often have a dinghy but can't afford petrol so they will nick remote tanks from tenders or, if chained, cut the feed tube to get the petrol.

Dinghy theft from beaches and the small fishing harbour at Culatra is not unknown either so always chain and padlock it.

Theft from boats on anchor by other cruisers is not unkown, one nationality has a reputation for it. As one German put it, "we equip our boats to go sailing whereas some of the ****** go sailing to equip ther boats". We hang an anchor light in the cockpit when going ashore.