Recreational boats a desirable target for thieves over summer months

With many Tasmanians preparing for The Royal Hobart Regatta this weekend RACT Insurance CEO Trent Sayers reminds boat owners to take the proper precautions to ensure their boat and personal belongings are safe from theft when out of the water.

According to RACT Insurance claims data, 18 per cent of all Boat Insurance claims since July 2012 are related to theft, and of that 18 per cent, 69 per cent were related to theft of items kept in or on the boat.
Mr Sayers has urged boat owners to park their boat in a secure location and regularly check for any sign of theft.

“There’s no worse way to start your day than finding your boat missing from your driveway or items stolen from on-board.” said Mr Sayers.

“Most boats are stolen while on the trailer, so don’t make it easy for a thief to hook up and take off. If you park in your driveway, don’t leave the hitch facing the street, ensure your driveway is well lit, and consider equipping your trailer or boat with anti-theft devices such as a wheel clamp or hitch pin.

“Often thieves are more interested in your boats accessories than stealing the actual boat. Accessories and electronics are much easier to steal and harder to trace so it’s a good idea to use quality steel locks on props, outboards, and outdrives.

“You should also remove any portable items from your boat such as fish finders and navigation devices as well as any personal belongings when you get home to avoid any unwanted curiosity from people passing by.

“Before you leave home for a day out on the water, check your boats contents to identify if any important emergency items such as flares, fire extinguishers, life-saving and safety equipment, and anchors and bailers have been stolen.

“The last thing you want is to get into an emergency situation on the water and not have the items you need.”

In addition to checking your boats contents regularly, it’s also a good opportunity to re-evaluate the storage security of your boat and equipment and ensure you are properly covered for theft and damage.

For more information on boat safety visit http://www.mast.tas.gov.au/
RACT Insurance CEO Trent Sayers