When it comes to your most prized possessions, it’s likely that your boat or yacht is up there with the best of them, so it stands to reason that you’ll want to keep it safe, secure and well looked after at all times. When you’ve made such a sizeable investment in a luxury vessel, you’ll want to protect it for the future – so how exactly can you ensure that it remains in tip top condition and out of harm’s way?
Your boat or yacht may be kept in a marina, but regardless, you could still find its security being compromised should it be targeted by thieves. But, with a few extra bells and whistles, you can ensure that your boat or yacht is suitably protected and ready for a jaunt out on the water at all times.
Tracker
Boat theft is unfortunately more common than you might expect, and should yours be stolen and taken to a different location entirely, you may never be able to recover it. Having your vessel fitted with a tracker will ensure that you can always locate it should the worst happen, simply through a specialised app on your laptop or mobile phone.
Alarms
Alarmed padlocks can act as a suitable deterrent for potential thieves. When tampered with, they will emit a piercing sound that will scare them off in seconds, whilst also alerting security staff to their presence – enough to put off even the most experienced of fellons.
Quick and easy to fit, there are a range of options to choose from including locks, cables and chains. Door alarms are another good choice and can detect movement onboard your vessel.
Opt for a monitoring device that includes tracking, monitoring, alarms and more from a specialist company such as Sky Marine Alert to ensure your expensive purchase remains as safe and secure as possible.
Install an engine immobiliser
Installing an engine immobiliser is a great way of preventing your boat from being stolen on the water. This will ensure that even if thieves do manage to gain access to your boat, they will be unable to start the engine – and that will cause them all kinds of problems in removing your boat from the area, as well as increasing their risk of getting caught.
An engine immobiliser is quick and simple to install and can be done through the use of a fob or a concealed button.
Use a secure marina
Most marinas these days have security features in place,, but there are some harbours that are lacking in this area, and so should be avoided at all costs. Take the time to do your research before deciding where to moor your boat and be sure to opt for somewhere that offers the most stringent levels of protection to keep your boat safe.
Look for a marina that has CCTV and secured walkways and pontoons – as well as security personnel on-site 24/7 – and you’ll be able to relax in the knowledge that your boat will be looked after to the highest of standards.
Use a dry stack
If you don’t have plans to use your boat for some time, then taking it out of the water and storing it in a dry stack can be a good option for keeping it even safer than it would be in the marina. However, you will need to make sure that this, too, has all of the relevant security features in place, including a gated enclosure, security and ideally, CCTV.
Mark your vessel
Marking your boat with a serial number as well as ensuring it is electronically tagged will ensure that it is simple to identify and even more difficult to sell on should it be stolen. These unique identity numbers can be used to easily call up information on a boat’s country of origin, as well as its builder and the year of the build. Known as a Watercraft Identification Number (WIN), this 14-digit code is marked on the boat in two places – one on the starboard side, and one a second hidden within the boat, both etched into the fabric of the boat to ensure permanence.
After investing such a large amount into your dream yacht or boat, you’ll want to do everything you can to protect it – keeping it safe and ready to head out on the water at a moment’s notice, champagne and personal chef onboard. And, with these simple tips, you’ll be able to do just that.
