Boat security

[Sailfree]

May end up briefly on a mooring in Poole harbour this year .

Any suggestions on deterents eg alarm sysems. Stainless steelgrid padlocked over companionway?

 

[Seajet]

I'd be wary of the grid as it might mean a determined thief doing a lot more damage.

I've always thought boat alarms useless in big harbours unless they activate a blue strobe in the rig somewhere...

There are a few webcams around Poole, might be worth finding if the mooring in question is in view; I get the impression - though could be wrong - that the thieves in Poole tend to be mobo oriented, going for outboards on transoms etc ?

 

[LadyInBed]

Do you have an alarm installed?
If not, the ones linked to call a mobile are good.
Other requirements are: vibration detectors, pressure mat and strobe light.
Oh! and a big notice saying that you have an alarm fitted.
I had an attempted break in a few years back, they damaged the door but then gave up due to the alarm, if I had had a pressure mat in the cockpit causing the alarm sooner, maybe I wouldn't have had the door damage.
The worst part was that it wasn't worth an insurance claim, as the repair cost was around the same as the excess
Over recent years, Poole police and R Frome boat watch have been much more active after a spate of breakins.

 

[prv]

Other requirements are: vibration detectors, pressure mat and strobe light.
Oh! and a big notice saying that you have an alarm fitted.
I had an attempted break in a few years back, they damaged the door but then gave up due to the alarm, if I had had a pressure mat in the cockpit causing the alarm sooner, maybe I wouldn't have had the door damage.

We have a teak sole to the cockpit so can't really fit a pressure pad (unless it was a portable one rolled up when the boat was in use, which seems a faff). However, I have seen microwave proximity detectors (as used inside cars) for not too much money. I though about fitting one to protect the area under the sprayhood; it will work through a layer of GRP so could be hidden inside the structure. You'd have to enter this area to get at the hatch, but there's no reason for anything else to be moving there.

Never got round to doing anything about it, I have many more urgent projects.

Pete

 

[Neil_Y]

I used a few rape alarms that only cost 4-5£, they have a clip that when pulled out sets off a very loud alarm, file the clip down so it comes out with little effort and attach this to a piece of fishing line. The alarm itself can be mounted just inside a locker (we velcro'd them in so they could be moved easily) and the trip line tied across the cockpit or along the side deck. We also used them when moored alongside in rough harbours across foredeck when bow to (I forgot one night coming back late, scared the carp out of me)

 

[parbuckle]

I think making out someone is aboard is the best deterrent , leave a light on and music playing maybe some washing hanging outside is a start. With the advent of very low current draw lighting and small portable transistors a pv panel should keep the battery up , I once made a bed up with fenders as a dummy crew and left the portlights uncurtained so a clear of the cabin could be seen. Insurance companies may ask if you have an alarm or a gas sniffer I never admit to having any, my reasoning is that if I forget to put them on then I could be accused of negligence and they could avoid any claim . I could be wrong but I am so suspicious.

 

[NormanS]

Happy to say that I live in a different world.

 

[TradewindSailor]

The rape alarms are not a bad idea as they are more annoying that a burglar alarm, but I doubt if anybody will take any notice in a place like Poole. Cruising anchorages are different though, because any alarm may indicate people being attacked ..... although that is very rare.

Snakes on board, or at least the prospect of there being snakes on board usually keeps the locals at bay! Put a big sticker above the companionway saying you are a member of the coral snake owners club!

 

[Sailfree]

The rape alarms are not a bad idea as they are more annoying that a burglar alarm, but I doubt if anybody will take any notice in a place like Poole. Cruising anchorages are different though, because any alarm may indicate people being attacked ..... although that is very rare.

Snakes on board, or at least the prospect of there being snakes on board usually keeps the locals at bay! Put a big sticker above the companionway saying you are a member of the coral snake owners club!

Thanks but you are inferring a) the scrots can read and b) they would have any idea that a coral snake is not a derivative of their favourite drink snakebite!!

Beginning to think I have to explore electronic devices PIR's activated lights, brief alarm, strobe, recorded voice warning.

 

[Neil_Y]

The noise the rape alarms give out really stuns you and you can't tell where the noise is coming from so our theory was it would make someone stop and loose any surprise, hopefully scare the out of them and make them think twice. Used them three times, St Kitts Basseterre old harbour bow too and quiet anchorages with one or two other boats off Trinidad and Venezuela mainland and Margharita where there had been several piracy incidents. I still don't think it was any more dangerous than a night walk along Union street. The best thing is there is no wiring and you can move them to do different jobs, like attached to a lifted dinghy or outboard. I don't think anyone else would hear them or do anything in Poole harbour but the scroat might feel a little bit put off or get a headache and leave your boat.