Marine intruder alarm

[rusland]

Good Morning Forumites, 5 boats on my marina were 'broken into' before Xmas and equipment stolen. Apart from the subject of marina security, I consider I should install some form of intruder deterrent on board. Also, I expect to leave her in more pleasant waters for the summer (maybe marina, maybe swinging), visiting every other weekend. I will be quieter, if I will know there is some deterrent system. I favour door contacts (pilothouse motor sailer) with sound signal and outside strobe. I am open to any system including cameras and such-like, but I really would prefer to deter an intruder from targeting my boat. I have computer with satellite broadband on board. Could I have advice please?

 

[spv737]

Have a look at these alarms
http://www.carwatch.supanet.com/html/car_alert.html
once activated they phone numbers you program so it can call say, yourself and the marina office so staff can go and check the boat.
As for deterring them then PIR operated security lighting may help at night (if you have mains hook up)

 

[MIKE_MCKIE]

Try this site, it gives a number of alternatives & I have spoken to the guy who builds the Vixen system, he is constantly developing the system, and is looking to include a webcam instead of a microphone on the system. Also a lot cheaper than most of the boat alarms I have seen.

http://www.call25.co.uk/


Look at the Vixen systems.

Best of luck.

 

[Anonymous]

You are going to be constrained by power if you want to have the system running while at a swinging mooring for up to a fortnight - unless you have a seriously large wind/solar generating capacity, which you don't mention. So you can rule out the use of the satellite broadband or the PC.

You seem to be clear that you want a deterrent rather than an alarm so at least one dummy CCTV camera would be worthwhile - the technolgy exists for it to be a live system so the intruders won't be sure whether it is a dummy or not.

Your plan for door contacts seems sound - PIRs and breaking-glass detectors are a menace on boats as they tend to give too many unwanted alarms. Door contacts usually consist of a magnetically-operated reed switch - the actual contact is inside an hermetic chamber so will not corrode.

Other deterrents include stickers stating that all belongings are marked, membership of harbour watch schemes, deck lights, strong locks, remove attractive portable items from view - e.g. searchlights, outboards, liferafts, tenders, etc. If the boat looks, from the outside, as though the owner isn't taking any chances then the crooks may well pass you by in favour of a softer and more profitable target.

 

[TigaWave]

As a deterant we used several battery powered rape alarms with simple fishing line trip wires, so they go off before intruders get near to damaging hatches or doors. Only £7.00 each batteries last forever.
As you really want to stop someone before they break in. They are also useful if your anchored somewhere remote and prone to break ins, as the alarm goes off shortly after someone steps aboard.

 

[HeadMistress]

Not my area of professional expertise but... Thieves prefer the cover of darkness...they shun light or any indication that someone may be aboard. So the most effective deterrent IMO is a flood light and at least one cabin light. It can be activated by a motion sensor, and also on a timer so that they go out before they can drain your battery while on a mooring. The sensors on most can be set to prevent gentle rocking or small wildlife from turning on the lights. While in a marina connected to shore power, just leave a floodlight on all night.

Simple, inexpensive, low-tech...and highly effective.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

find a 200dB horn and fit it inside the cabin. One which shrieks. Not being able to think should have any thieves scampering.

Otherwise, tear gas, six inch nails on the floor below the steps, a sword on a big spring that will pierce them as the open the hatch, add a flame thrower too.

Also, using a simple capacitor, you could charge up the hatch latch to a few thousand volts. Also add a flame thrower.

All thieves deserve to die, IMHO. There is no excuse, not even a little one!

 

[VicMallows]

What about 'electric fence' guard rails? Worked around a fish pond many years ago to keep the cats out.

Strangely, when they broke into my boat several years ago, they didn't take anything .... not even the (new) bottle of beer on the chart table. Does that say something about the contents of my boat? Cost me two new padlocks though.

Vic

 

[rusland]

Thank you Forumites for all replies. There is something to be taken from every reply.

You are right Lemain that power constraints put limits while on swinging mooring. Yesterday, I spent all day driving to 'more pleasent waters' and think I can have marina position there (Kinsale) as a base for this summer. I will install a simple system of door contacts activating mast horn and deck lights for when boat is left with shore power connection.

TigaWave, the idea to use battery powered rape alarms is great for when boat is left on swinging mooring, but trip wires are not appropriate in the marina.

spv737 and MIKE_MCKIE, I agree that something is needed that activates a message to me that the system has detected an intruder. I will connect with both companies suggested by you. If on the marina, I can phone marina staff to check - but if on swinging mooring - I dont know - a camera is needed.

What about a system that is driven by a separate battery, like a rechargable jump start? It could drain down every time system is activated and be recharged next visit. Would it be sufficient to drive a camera to check if an emergency visit is required?

ShipsWoofy, I also have some unpaid invoices which are proving difficult to collect.

 

[Anonymous]

[ QUOTE ]
What about a system that is driven by a separate battery, like a rechargable jump start? It could drain down every time system is activated and be recharged next visit. Would it be sufficient to drive a camera to check if an emergency visit is required?

[/ QUOTE ]Lead acid batteries don't like to be deep discharged especially if they are not going to be recharged within a few days. If you want to do this consider NiCd with a cut-out before battery volts are less than 1.05V per cell. You'd also need a NiCd charger, of course. You could make this up using batteries/charger from the high street and buy or use an old torch as a battery holder.