Mindless Vandalism

[gonfishing]

Hi All
Went to the boat yesterday afternoon, to be met by a member of the Marina staff looking quite concerned, "Checkyour boat Sir there seems to have been some problem last night" My boat was fine ,my dinhgy however had been slashed in 2 places with some sort of sharp object(stanley knife) so had another 2 dinghies, mooring lines cut on a 42 ft sealine, and set adrift ,cokpit canopies slashed on 2 other boats. All this in full view of cctv!!! Questions were raised on the pontoon, should we inform our Insurance companies and claim on our Insurance??or should we put our claims to the Marina for resolution??? I have done both but will not hold my breath for a reply!! Mr Plod bless him said"You are insured Sir surely?"

I would dearly love to meet the person ?persons responsible so that I could shake their hand and send them to Spain for a 2 week holiday you Naughty Naughty person please don't do it again!!!! or should it be diving lessons without bottles???

Julian



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[kingfisher]

Take him for a boat ride, drop him off in the dinghy he slashed, give him a pump and an oar (sry m8, the other ones been stolen), about a mile or five off shore. That ought to fun.

<hr width=100% size=1>Group of people on the pontoon: skipper is the one with the toolbox.
http://sirocco31.tripod.com

 

[Dave_Snelson]

I think Kingfisher has the right idea. Sorry to hear about all that Julian, it does amaze me that they weren't caught on camera - but then again, they would only be caught on camera if a) the camera was switched on b) the camera was operable c) someone was watching it and d) it was pointing in the right direction.

Having put your claim in on both fronts, I would phone your insurance company and leverage them to pile the pressure on the marina (insurance company undoubtedly bigger than marina company). Whilst it may be the insurance co that pays you out, they always look diligently for someone to recoup their losses from.

At Porthmadog, our yacht club is seriously considering a pontoon berth scheme with finger pontoons up against the harbour wall. Now then - do I want people to have access to my boat?? (err, that'll be a no then).

Where is your marina, and who runs it? (name & shame)

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[itsonlymoney]

One word for it "scum" nothing worse than "scum" interfering with your possesions that you have spent hard earned cash on. And as for dibble stating "you do have insurance sir etc" typical. Confirms a statement last week by a cheif constable "catching criminals is no longer our main priority" kind of says it all doesnt it.
Ian

<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !

 

[PhilF]

In Southampton, over the course of 4 weeks, my daughters car had its wing mirrors and windscreen wipers stolen, all the tyres slashed and most panels keyed, all at different parking locations - no stalker involved I hope - she came back to London for the weekend and smashed in up in an accident.
Can't wait for the insurance renewal

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[itsonlymoney]

Hope she's ok Phil !

<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !

 

[gonfishing]

Hi Dave
It's probably a no to points a,b.c.d. and the Marina and here's the rub it is Council owned and run,so I guess there will be no recourse there!!!

Julian

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Observer]

Sympathies - it's hard to think of anything more infuriating than wanton vandalism. I doubt you'll get far with the marina as you'd have to prove negligence (which ain't easy) or breach of contract (easier but no help unless marina has specific contractual duty to provide specific level of security). A commercial marina may possibly be sufficiently embarrassed to offer an ex gratia payment but very unlikely a council owned one will.

However, if CCTV fitted, in working order and NOT switched on, there if prima facie case for negligence. Not being monitored would be harder. There are many reasons (arguably) why continuous monitoring is not reasonably achievable.



<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://aflcharters.co.uk>Dream Dancer</A>

 

[mjf]

That is terrable!

Can you tells us where please ?


PS as an aside to Observers' comment I had a NB theft a couple years ago on CCTV etc - problem was the tape monitoring machine had run out of tape!. Very interesting legal case followed.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[PhilF]

Thank you, she is now, but very rattled at the time

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Wiggo]

Re: CCTV

Bloody pointless. Local gym and masonic centre both have CCTV in their car parks, both have been hit. The gym has a security patrol with dogs, and it made no difference. The masonic centre had video footage of a lowlife waving at the camera before breaking into a car. Plod said no use as evidence...

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/graham.wignall/boats/eulimene600x800.jpg>The old and the new</A>

 

[Gludy]

Julian
Really sorry to hear what happened.

Being on th next pontoon and having suffered £1500 worth of danage myself a few months ago - I have installed some security. PM me if you want details.

It would not cost very much for each pontoon to put its own security system in - frankly I am now thinking of preparing a plan for just that - I reckon on about £100 per boat with the ability to take most of the equipment with you if you move.

Words cannot describe how I feel about these vandals.



<hr width=100% size=1>Paul

 

[steverow]

Julian,

Very sorry to hear about the trouble.
Being self interested, how far did the vandalism spread...did they get down on to N pontoon??
When exactly did it happen, because you know the main bridgehead gate was faulty on Sunday last, wouldnt close back on it's own.
If that was the case then the Mariina would be liable because of poor maintenance.

Steve.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Gludy]

Steve - the gate was fixed when we left on Sunday.

Damage confined to N pontoon.


<hr width=100% size=1>Paul