How to secure a liferaft

Jonny A

Jonny A

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My boat lives on a swinging mooring in Poole harbour, and over the last couple of years neighboring boats have been broken into and had equipment stolen. So, having just got a life raft fitted to my boat, I want to secure it with a padlock when I'm not on board. However, I can't work out a way to do it. The problem is the mounting frame can be taken apart too easily. I need a way to lock directly to the life raft. It's a Seago 4-man cannister type, but there is nowhere on the cannister I can secure a padlock to. Has anyone else had this problem, and found a solution?
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I would mark it with something like smart water and apply the label, so that thieves at least have an opportunity to reconsider.

You can buy stainless mesh betting in various sizes, about 2mm wire diameter. I use the meshing to wrap around very large light fixtures that are at risk of being hit by crane loads.

The mesh could be a rapped around the life raft and then secured with a wire strop and padlock to a midship cleat. Or put it down below, I know awakward.

One such supplier:-

Dropsafe Nets - Dropsafe
 
I replaced the screws in the holder with monel rivets. Mine then has a stainless steel strap passing over the 'strap depression' visible in your canister. This is secured with an over-centre clip with a padlock hole in it (akin to a hasp and staple.) Because I would inevitably forget to remove the padlock I have a small srung clip in there to stop it opening inadvertently, but you may be better organised.

I would keep the bolt cutters well oiled just in case though!

Unlikely to actually stop a determined thief sadly...
 
My plan A would be to replace the mounting screws with security screws - I have square holed ones from a pocket hole kit which would be fine as few people would have a driver for them and even few would be carrying it. Then an old shroud or safety wire with suitable eyes and a padlock.

It won't keep the serious thief out, but not much will. If someone's determined to have it, better they don't do to much damage to everything else getting it.
 
Iliade said:
a stainless steel strap passing over the 'strap depression' visible in your canister. This is secured with an over-centre clip with a padlock hole in it (akin to a hasp and staple.)
Click to expand...

I have the same, although a wire rather than strap. The wire can be bolted to the coach roof inaccessibly underneath the canister.
Just to satisfy the insurer...
 
As mentioned, I have an over centre latch on a length of 3mm stainless wire, tools would be required to remove it or a set of heavy wire cutters. Either way, determined scrotes will remove it if they want it badly.
I have a wifi security camera system that alerts me to any movement, maybe you could explore something similar to watch for boats coming near your boat?
 
Mine is so pigging heavy I can't imagine a thief could be bothered to maul it off the boat. Far easier kit to steal if he is determined. Also, a raft needing a service is worthless. We just took ours home in winter and didn't worry about it whilst on the boat in summer
 
Our cage is hinged, the hinges are duplex security bolts (with fancy security Alan key recessed heads) . The cage is closed with a padlock and high tensile galvanised chain (as used on motor bikes - but galvanised). When we go offshore the security features, padlock and HT chain, are removed. 316 Stainless chain is easily cut with bolt croppers, unless its Cromox or duplex - and if they target boats - they will carry bolt croppers.

Nothing will stop a determined thief.

I suspect selling life rafts in the local pub might raise a few eyebrows - the usual targets are commonly used domestic items, kettle, toaster and the O/B which are easily sold and seldom having security marks.

Jonathan
 
geem said:
Mine is so pigging heavy I can't imagine a thief could be bothered to maul it off the boat. Far easier kit to steal if he is determined. Also, a raft needing a service is worthless. We just took ours home in winter and didn't worry about it whilst on the boat in summer
Click to expand...
Make sure that the raft has a visible service date that is about to expire to try and put them off. Would need to possibly carry paperwork to show otherwise to foreign authorities.
 
I have attached a couple of pad eyes with a chain and padlock (which is stainless steel and regularly oiled) and have to remember to undo the lock before departure.
But any lock connected to fibreglass is only to stop an opportunist…if the thief has already got out to a swinging mooring then little will stop him…including storing below.
Some kind of security system with cameras is the only way…but what then? Do you put up a warning sticker which just reminds him to cover his face ??‍♂️
 
Bouba said:
I have attached a couple of pad eyes with a chain and padlock (which is stainless steel and regularly oiled) and have to remember to undo the lock before departure.
But any lock connected to fibreglass is only to stop an opportunist…if the thief has already got out to a swinging mooring then little will stop him…including storing below.
Some kind of security system with cameras is the only way…but what then? Do you put up a warning sticker which just reminds him to cover his face ??‍♂️
Click to expand...
I'd put the CCTV camera where the would be thief could not see it from a distance so he wouldn't get a warning.
 
Plan B: Electric fence energiser connected to the frame and wire fixings
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Put a sign on the boat….
‘Stay Away!
This yacht is used by the Royal Navy for target practice’
 
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