Study looks at watercraft theft and recoveries

Tips on protection your watercraft

A new report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) examines watercraft theft and recoveries. Watercraft include but are not limited to personal watercraft (PWC), pontoon boats, dinghies, rowboats, canoes, sailboats, speedboats, powerboats and kayaks.

From January 1, 2006 through March 31, 2009 a total of 19,854 watercraft thefts were reported to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The data shows a 2.47 percent decrease in thefts from 2006 to 2008. Also, of the total reported thefts, 9,060 were recovered (45.63 percent).

The top five states for thefts are Florida, California, Texas, Michigan and North Carolina while the top five for recoveries are Florida, California, Texas, Washington and Michigan.

To help keep your watercraft from getting stolen, the NCIB recommends the following tips to help protect your watercraft from theft:

    –  When you dock it, lock it and secure it to the dock with a steel cable
    –  Remove expensive equipment when not in use
    –  Chain and lock detachable motors to the boat
    –  Do not leave title or registration papers in the craft
    –  Disable the craft by shutting fuel lines or removing batteries
    –  Use a trailer hitch lock after parking a boat on its trailer
    –  Install a kill switch in the ignition system

“I’ve heard it said the happiest days in a boat owner’s life are the day when he or she buys a boat and the day it’s sold. Then certainly the saddest day in a boat owner’s life is when a boat gets stolen,” says Joe Wehrle, NICB president and chief executive officer. “Enjoy your watercraft. Follow recommended maintenance schedules and have the appropriate level of insurance to protect you from financial loss due to accident or theft.”

The complete report can be downloaded at http://www.nicb.org/ under “Hot Topics”.