Boat broken into and 3 others also in the same Creek

I'm still trying to get my head around this. It's very concerning. What I don't understand is, where's the market for them these days?

I can't see junkies being able to carboot selling them. There are virtually not marine markets left. I can't see even there cut wire equipment selling. Ebay and Gumtree are too obvious and public.

Is it going abroad, say to eastern Europe, like specialist motorcycle thefts do? Is it professional, or is it just one off Covid-related opportunism, some kids in an inflatable trying it on? Or rogue boaties who know what is what? Is there even that much value in the gear?

Yes, I've had some leisure batteries stolen in my time. In my case, they did me a favour as they were all dead, but the feeling of violation remains, along with any consoling foundation of there being trust and respect for others property in society.
 
First. The cost isn't a problem really. I expect to get something from the insurance but it isn't 'new for old' of course but to add Mike and Paul's comment. I can afford replacing everything. It was hardly the most expensive. I enjoy doing what I do. I can't sail because of the arthritis and frankly Motor Boating is..... utterly boring - sorry any chaps. But prodding around the Estuary is very interesting and I will set it all up again. Please do not start a fund. ?

The frustration is the damage caused and of course the feeling of intrusion. It is quite small damage but..... two perfectly good operational transducers loosing their moulded plugs. So they need replacing, one will be a special order from the US and they need fitting. Not the end of the world but a pain. The NMEA network (aka the wiring) is partially damaged and needs replacement. Not the end of the world but that's a fiddly pain. The instrument panel still works but when I had built and fitted in last winter I was quite proud of it. It could just be screwed back but..... sod them, I made that!

So I can put it all back. Everything can be replaced except for daft nostalgia: did they have to take the small set of sockets and bars my Dad bought me in 1965 so I could tinker with my Heinkel scooter! Did they have to take Uncle's King Dick vintage sockets. Of course they didn't notice or care. And they won't even get good value for what is stolen.

The issue is whether there is any point. When the kit is replaced, how long before it is stolen again. At the risk of exposing a private conversation, I was talking to the owner with the neighbouring boat. He like me is very attracted to the location - at the top end of Salcott Creek. Not only are the mooring very safe (in boating terms), it is beautiful. Now should we go to a more secure mooring?

Is it worth trying to build the kit into fixed fascias or should I realise that I have to remove the instrument heads every time I go ashore? Will the fittings stand frequent fitting and removal?

Annoying in the night. Woke up. Had a left the family LJs on board; if so they had been stolen. No I had left them in the small bedroom. Back to sleep. Woke up. Was the compass still in place or was it stolen? I can't remember. Am I allowed to go afloat to check. And I was thinking about one of the locker. It looked rather neat. So I am now thinking they have taken the plastic boxes of the spare stainless screws, ditto of spare machine screws, ditto of the unused Wago connectors and so on. It is really quite difficult to identify everything that has been taken e.g. that empty space on the shelf above the cooker right next to the tea, coffee and sugar! What was taken? No idea. Won't remember until Gladys is helming next year and is making some demand for something.
 
So it must be some kind of fairly local rogue boaties? Someone with an older boat they are fixing up?

For me, I don't buy the desperate necessity angle of thievery, ie so poor or desperate that they're driven to it. It's kind of hate, envy and contempt driven. Theives are just heartless spoilers of others great pleasures. They must know the pride and pleasure others have in their belongings, and the inconviences it causes (they are thieves of others time too), therefore they know they hurting people beyond the financial value. Presumably they would feel the same?

I just don't understand it.

 
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Hi Roger, sorry to read this. I wonder what happens to all this stuff. eBay perhaps.
A friend of mine used to take his wet gear and his plotter home every time but then had them stolen from his car. He now leaves them on the boat and his boat unlocked on the basis that that he doesn’t want damage and nicked stuff is easy to replace. Fortunately marinas seem more secure.
Pleased to read that you haven’t given up.
 
I have a couple of traps laid. They are outside bets but coincidence happens.

HR - don't try to understand it. Just expect every aspect of human nature. I was going to add a few personal encounters with human nature but the Forum is for fun so I'll stick to a coincidence: In Armenia doing a bit of consultancy work for the UN, on the last day of work, I am told that the First Secretary from the UK embassy would pop in for a drink at my hotel. He does and of course we chat. He is not a sailor but while in Poole he met a chap who had a steel sailing boat which was normally kept the boat on the East Coast at a place that began with 'M'. And he and his family had had a day out on the boat. The conversation drifted for a while and in a lull (I hope you are all noting the sailing allusions) I said 'The steel boat, was it Dutch made'? Yeap. 'Was it called Triple'? Yes, 'Was the 'M' Maldon'.? Yeap, 'Was the owner called xxxx'? Yeap.

I know the owner, I have sailed on that boat! What are the odds of that.
 
Rotten thing to happen. I guess that it is going to end up on Gumtree or ebay. I am told casual thieves prefer Gumtree. However, this sounds as though it may end up in a boat jumble or car boot sale.
 
tillergirl said:
First. The cost isn't a problem really. I expect to get something from the insurance but it isn't 'new for old' of course but to add Mike and Paul's comment. I can afford replacing everything. It was hardly the most expensive. I enjoy doing what I do. I can't sail because of the arthritis and frankly Motor Boating is..... utterly boring - sorry any chaps. But prodding around the Estuary is very interesting and I will set it all up again. Please do not start a fund. ?

The frustration is the damage caused and of course the feeling of intrusion. It is quite small damage but..... two perfectly good operational transducers loosing their moulded plugs. So they need replacing, one will be a special order from the US and they need fitting. Not the end of the world but a pain. The NMEA network (aka the wiring) is partially damaged and needs replacement. Not the end of the world but that's a fiddly pain. The instrument panel still works but when I had built and fitted in last winter I was quite proud of it. It could just be screwed back but..... sod them, I made that!

So I can put it all back. Everything can be replaced except for daft nostalgia: did they have to take the small set of sockets and bars my Dad bought me in 1965 so I could tinker with my Heinkel scooter! Did they have to take Uncle's King Dick vintage sockets. Of course they didn't notice or care. And they won't even get good value for what is stolen.

The issue is whether there is any point. When the kit is replaced, how long before it is stolen again. At the risk of exposing a private conversation, I was talking to the owner with the neighbouring boat. He like me is very attracted to the location - at the top end of Salcott Creek. Not only are the mooring very safe (in boating terms), it is beautiful. Now should we go to a more secure mooring?

Is it worth trying to build the kit into fixed fascias or should I realise that I have to remove the instrument heads every time I go ashore? Will the fittings stand frequent fitting and removal?

Annoying in the night. Woke up. Had a left the family LJs on board; if so they had been stolen. No I had left them in the small bedroom. Back to sleep. Woke up. Was the compass still in place or was it stolen? I can't remember. Am I allowed to go afloat to check. And I was thinking about one of the locker. It looked rather neat. So I am now thinking they have taken the plastic boxes of the spare stainless screws, ditto of spare machine screws, ditto of the unused Wago connectors and so on. It is really quite difficult to identify everything that has been taken e.g. that empty space on the shelf above the cooker right next to the tea, coffee and sugar! What was taken? No idea. Won't remember until Gladys is helming next year and is making some demand for something.
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Is it possible the thieves decided they didn't want some of this stuff, perhaps too much to carry, when they got in the cockpit and chucked it overboard and it is now at the bottom of the creek.? Is it worth getting a diver down? ..... or a magnet on a line

I know from my insurance broking days that theives often return for second helping when the insurance has paid out.
 
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Why? They obviously knew what they were looking for and must appreciate that Mersea is a very close knit community...as has been suggested possible it is on its way to the Eastern European market?

Whatever, it has happened and I sincerely hope that the bastards suffer an engine failure somewhere mid English channel...at night...in the fog!

As Mike says it will be a sad day for us all when you hang up your transducers Roger! Keep up the good work!
 
David I don't support your theory. I guess I have a bit more experience of thieves (and I am not trying to be glib). Every thief in that context will have an exit plan. Once executed, then take the time to look at the pickings.

With a bit of fortune, them needing to use the Life Raft could be disappointing. ?

That is rather naughty of me and not in keeping to the spirit of the East Coast Forum. I'll do a penance.
 
My guess from experience is that any wiring cables etc just might go to a Metal Recycling Yard somewhere plus there might be money in Old Broken instruments these days

So mixed in with other 'Finds' probably not easy to recognise amoungst other stuff
 
I don’t know if any help but if it helps to or you need to deliver to a US address let me know and I’ll forward at cost.

I wish I could cover it but at the moment not possible. If that changes then I’d refund you postage.

W.
 
To remove that much stuff from several boats must have been a substantial operation by regular crims. Surprised if no one saw anything? Id be happy to contribute to a whip round if the insurance wont pay the full amount. We all benefit from what you do.
 
So sorry to hear about this.

I assume police informed.

Had an outboard stolen then found it on E bay, police managed to recover.

Check all second hand websites, boat jumbles etc.

Sounds like professionals who knew what they were after.
 
BW - well Salcott Creek is remote. At low water springs you would not be able to see the boat behind Sunken Island and at dusk/night it would be very improbable to spot anyone. Given that 2 outboards, 2 life rafts (I think), a rubber dinghy (folded) let alone the smaller gear, it could be possible that they went back a couple of times. Absolutely, it was planned. Now, now behave BW. Don't mention about contributions.
T - yes I have spoken to the police. The enquiry was dead the day it was discovered. The crime was actually days ago. No forensic so the only chance is any crime pattern. That is why reporting crime is important even when it looks pointless. I had an amusing part of the conversation. I need a crime reference. She cannot be allocated a crime reference until the Post Code is coded. Ah. Um. yes. She has solved it.
David. I am delighted that you have never been frequently immersed with thieves. Please don't ever assume logic. The hoovering process is time limited, inspection is later with ease.
PW. I need to send you a PM.
 
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