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Theft in port.

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Blue Ghost, Jul 22, 2013.

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  1. Blue Ghost

    Blue Ghost Member

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    I've seen threads on this board before about people securing vessels while anchored in the Carribean. I was wondering how common theft was while in port. Does it depend on the country? How often do yachts get robbed while docked or anchored?
  2. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    It definitely depends on location. Here in the U.S. invasion of a yacht is almost unheard of, but burglaries are another matter. Here on Long Island, the rule of thumb is the further west you store your boat, the more likely it is to get burglarized (although it's not a big problem anywhere here on L.I.). Whenever you travel, be it by air, land or sea, know your surroundings.
  3. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    If your familiar with my other post, we're armed and everybody knows it. NO problem here...
    ,rc
  4. ScrumpyVixen

    ScrumpyVixen Member

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    ....the more likely it is to get burglarized (although it's not a big problem anywhere here on L.I.). [/QUOTE]


    Burgled not burglarized! Colour not color.

    There are certain norms that right thinking people abide by, like driving on the left hand side of the road!
  5. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Burgled not burglarized! Colour not color.

    There are certain norms that right thinking people abide by, like driving on the left hand side of the road![/QUOTE]

    Sorry Scrump, but around here you'll be taking a breathalyzer test if you drive on the left and little girls put clothes on Barbis, not shrimp. Guess we're just heathens.
  6. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    A New Yorker and a Sydbeysider having a literary joust.

    Should be entertaining.

    Ed, if driving on the lefft gets ya ticketed and driving on the right is considered normal in your locale what happens to all those cars that seem to drive themselves at 20 mph in the middle of the road in your locale?
  7. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    You must be referring to the Prius drivers. They get pushed off the road.:D
  8. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I have a blast renting a car or cart in the Bahamas.
    Reminds of a movie (20 years +) where some big actor in a big ford kept trying to drive in the UK. Always crashed into trash cans and yelled at the Britt locals 'cause they didn't know how to drive (like a Saturday Night in Jax).

    Back to security.
    Despite the world opinion (and OhBummers) dislike for self defense, We don't have these problems here on South Georgia waters AND won't in my lifetime.

    ,RC
  9. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Yes, it really depends on the island and location. In the Bahamas, it s pretty safe except in places like Nassau or Freeport ("cities")

    In the Caribbean, It varies but you have to be more careful. Places like St Marteen, St Thomas, Puerto Rico, have a higher crime rate and the popular anchorages have had incidents of theft and boarding.

    What I am always very careful with, anywhere, is the tender. Dinghy and outboard theft is probably the most common type of theft, even here in Miami and as a rule Every night, the tender goes back up
  10. Blue Ghost

    Blue Ghost Member

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    That's interesting. Does it matter whether your anchored or tied to a pier?

    I remember someone telling stories about local paddling or swimming out to anchored yachts and doing a "home invasion" kind of operation. I mean, wow, you've got to have guts to do something like that, and I'm wondering how you prepare or defend yourself against something of that nature.
  11. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Most crimes like that don't take guts, they take desperation.
  12. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    I guess that's where the dog earns his keep.
  13. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Or Kats..

    Attached Files:

  14. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Now, these were guard dawgs;

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  15. Blue Ghost

    Blue Ghost Member

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    Thanks for the replies. I also saw a doc about gangs raiding cargo ships carrying drugs, but I guess that's a different animal altogether. I figured if they wanted money, then they'd try to his one of the bigger or more expensive boats.
  16. HTMO9

    HTMO9 Senior Member

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    As far as I know, we have had 2 boardings of large yachts in the Med in the recent years (near Korsika). The gang collected all money and juwelry of guests and crew and left. Nobody was harmed. If you compare the size of the area and number of large yachts with the number of events, this is not very much.

    In northern Europe, we have had a lot of stealing of outboards, dinghies, electronics and other valuable stuff from unwatched yachts in yacht harbours after the iron curtain opened in the late 80s. After we had equipped all eastern European boaters with our outboards and yachting equippment :) and the harbours had increased their security, the numbers went back to normal. We are seeing one more increase in stealing on boats and houses until our new members in Europe, Rumania and Bulgaria will have taken their share too. But this is nothing to be alarmed of. Positive counter measures will help in this matter. My dogs are always interested in having fun with some unwanted guests in the night. These guys do some recon prior infringing on somebodys property. They will see my friends with the cold nose running free on the property and stay away :D.
  17. vwDavid

    vwDavid New Member

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    regardless of the incidents of thefts, an long term cruiser still may have to store a significant amount of currency on board.

    This might be a bit of a question the regulars around here won't want to answer, but it has been on my mind for sometime. How does one secure ones valuables on board (say in the event of a theft attempt while the boat is unattended?)
  18. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Generally on a yacht, there are many nooks and crannies one can hide currency in that would be very un-obvious to someone burglarizing the yacht.