Thieves steal 3 engines north fambridge marina

[millbeach]

Just some info--

On BBC Essex News web states-

North Fambridge Marina, thieves stole 3 engines from site.
Valued at £13,000 and 1 at £30,000.

Must have been pros, in my opinion.
Sad news for the owners.

 

[Athene V30]

It is sad but then I guess that is why we have insurance. At least thefts from ashore are not potentially life threatening.

Was talking to a chap on the pontoon at Brightlingsea late last season who had 'run out' of diesel when out sailing one weekend - he couldnt explain why as he had filled tank very recently, no leak etc, other than the fuel had been syphoned out of his tank. Fortunately when he ran out he had sea room / breeze etc so could sort himself, but it could have turned nasty.

Never been in favour of massive padlocks etc as work on the principle if the thief wants it he will have it, so with damage limitation in mind I would rather just have to replace an item than replace the item and rebuild the boat. However I do now check my fuel tank before I go sailing.

 

[tillergirl]

Is sad. And probably not without some annoying and perhaps costly damage. Not wishing to criticise millbeach but all thieves are pros (I have a little experience of this) - some are opportunist and others plan. Some plan very well, others are dorks but even dorks have inherent skills. Talked to a heroin addict burglar once and you would be amazed at his skills - entirely misplaced of course.

To carry away outboards of the size those must be - I assume they are outboards - will mean they have come properly set up and ready to cut through any securing devices. One thing the Marinewatch team have found useful is the Essex Police Engine Covers. You can buy these from the Essex Police Marine Unit (who are based at Burnham) around £20 for small, £22 for medium, £24 for large and £40 for extra large. These replace the manufacturer's cowling when it is left unattended and make the engine unattractive for resale by thieves. They have at least one example of where thieves have entered a yard and ripped at the covers but on finding no cowlings underneath have left the engines otherwise untouched.

To get one, ring PCSO Karen Garwood or Hayley Toye at the Marine Unit on 01621 782121 or 07968 574809. Email is Marine.watch@essex.pnn.police.uk. The other thing we all ought to do, is register our boaty details so serial numbers etc are already stored on the Essex Marinewatch computer. Goto http://www.essex.police.uk/my_neighbourhood/essex_watch/marine_watch.aspx

The Marine Unit in Essex is small but works with a similar unit in Kent. It will only survive the cuts if it is used. I know the current new elected Police and Crime Commissioner is a sailor but he will come under increasing pressure over resources and it must be a risk that some or all of the people will be redeployed. So we need to ensure we report all boaty crime/suspicious stuff to them. If they can start to see some patterns emerging then they can deploy hopefully in advance.