Thefts from Shotley Marina.

[Joseph Bloggs]

Just a quick heads up, in the past couple of weeks another two boats have been broken into in Shotley marina and had expensive electronics stolen.

 

[Concerto]

That is horrific. What sort of security do they have? I know it is easy to park to go to the pub bar for a meal. Park and just walk on to the pontoons is very easy. Having visited in June last year, the security did seem very relaxed.

 

[Jokani]

Just a quick heads up, in the past couple of weeks another two boats have been broken into in Shotley marina and had expensive electronics stolen.

Is that breaking in to cabins, or taking stuff out of cockpits?

 

[Joseph Bloggs]

Is that breaking in to cabins, or taking stuff out of cockpits?

Cabin doors forced/damaged and electronics taken from below decks.

 

[Joseph Bloggs]

That is horrific. What sort of security do they have? I know it is easy to park to go to the pub bar for a meal. Park and just walk on to the pontoons is very easy. Having visited in June last year, the security did seem very relaxed.

You are correct, there is nothing to stop the public from walking onto the pontoons, day or night.

 

[PeterBoater]

I'm told that the marina has been asked at least once before to install coded gates onto the pontoons but they won't do it. Clearly, the existing security is not adequate. Prospective berth holders might take note.

 

[Jokani]

Installing coded gates onto the pontoons would certainly be the way to go.

 

[tillergirl]

I might be wrong but I think there is a public right of way along the sea wall. That would hinder security arrangements.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I might be wrong but I think there is a public right of way along the sea wall. That would hinder security arrangements.

You're right, there is a right of way over the outer lock gates and along the seaward side of the marina. To gain access from there would mean the thieves would need to cross the main fairway by swimming or tender etc. Not impossible, they did it a couple of years or so ago and broke into some boats and also stole some outboards.

 

[Joseph Bloggs]

A Moody 376 that was previously in my berth had a CP stolen, he left!

I recall that, the owner seemed a decent chap. I don't know the details, but he said that whilst he was upset that someone stole his chart plotter he was even more upset with the attitude of the marina manager, that's why he left.

 

[RickH]

Thanks, better check ours over the weekend!

 

[Paulfireblade]

That is horrendous news, what security measures would be suggested.

Are there alarm systems suitable for boats?

 

[Bigplumbs]

I was there the other day....... They have put some signs up

 

[Concerto]

I was there the other day....... They have put some signs up

What? Beware thieves in operation in the marina.

 

[Bigplumbs]

What? Beware thieves in operation in the marina.

No more like Only Berth Holders allowed on Pontoons ....... That will stop the thieves

 

[Barnacle40]

I recall that, the owner seemed a decent chap. I don't know the details, but he said that whilst he was upset that someone stole his chart plotter he was even more upset with the attitude of the marina manager, that's why he left.

Have heard that there has been another report. Gates and cameras would go a long way to resolving this. Still no action and poor reaction from the manager………

 

[MoodySabre]

Not many marinas have coded gates. Ipswich, Burnham but where else? Toilets are better secured everywhere!

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Not many marinas have coded gates. Ipswich, Burnham but where else? Toilets are better secured everywhere!

Titchmarsh doesn't have locked gates, but it's notionally a single point of entry with security during the night. I say "notionally" because I'm quite sure it wouldn't be difficult to get past the gate by other routes, but only on foot. Geology fieldwork soon teaches you that few rural hedges or fences are impassable!

The best security I know is at James Watt Dock Marina at Greenock. But given that it's in a "development area", they couldn't sell berths if the security wasn't pretty much copper-bottomed. However, all the marinas on the East side of the Clyde have reasonable security - locked access to the pontoons, at least, though in at least one case, the code remained the same for years!

 

[johnalison]

Almost all the security gates I have encountered can be overcome by anyone with enough chutzpah to present themselves at the gate as someone else is entering. They go some way to prevent casual walkers-by but I don't particularly trust them. We were at Maylandsea for many years, also with a footpath through the yard and if anything I thought that thieves were more likely to be deterred by the possibility of being seen. I also think that security gates tend to isolate sailors from the local community, leading to a them-and-us situation, though I can see that places differ. I have always enjoyed tying up in, say, Dutch towns where passers-by will often start up a conversation with yachtsmen, something I don't think I have experienced in England.

 

[PeterBoater]

Have heard that there has been another report. Gates and cameras would go a long way to resolving this. Still no action and poor reaction from the manager………

Do you have any more information on this latest report?