Water mark to repel boarders

Boat theft is costing pounds 120m a year. Mary Wilson looks at a new scheme to combat the problem

THE Southampton Boat Show kicked off yesterday for nine days, showing the cream of the yachts, motor cruisers and sailing dinghies currently on offer. But when you have dusted off your new toy in readiness for the 1996 sailing season, will you have taken enough precautions to prevent it being stolen?

Although it is not a legal requirement to take out insurance on a boat, it would be unwise not to do so with boat theft on the increase. It is estimated that about pounds 120m of boats are stolen every year.

Boats are most commonly stolen when they are on dry land and are notoriously difficult to secure, unless they are kept in a locked shed or garage. Another likely time for a boat to be pinched is if you are towing it somewhere and stop for lunch. If the trailer is not properly secured with a wheel clamp or trailer lock, and is not within your vision, then do not be surprised if the boat is not behind your car when you come out a couple of hours later.

Expensive boats are often taken abroad, and anything from oars to outboards might turn up at second-hand boat sales or car-boot sales.

The British Marine Industries Federation (BMIF) launched a new scheme on the opening day of the boat show. Boatmark is the first national boat identification scheme in Britain.

From this month all new boats will have the Boatmark on the transom (back) of the boat and also in four other places, which the police will easily be able to recognise. And from the new year, people who already own boats will be able to take them to Boatmark stations to be set up around the country, to be marked and registered. This will cost pounds 12.50. Removeable items can be marked with the same number.

Boatmark will have access to the marine data held on the police national computer and once the boat has been marked, a new purchaser can, for a fee of pounds 15, double-check that the person selling the boat really does own it and has no outstanding debt on it.

The owner will receive documentation which will be similar to a car log- book and will include a tear-off slip, so that a new boat-owner can fill it in and return it.

The Royal Yachting Association offers discounted insurance to its members through an insurance broker, Bishop Skinner, with further discounts offered if you hold yachting qualifications. It also offers a no-claims bonus up to 30 per cent, which can now be protected.

General Accident (01738 895302) will discount premiums up to 19 per cent for a boat kept in a secure marina. The company has not raised its premiums in two years, although it says it regularly reviews the situation.

Rod Daniel, assistant yacht manager of Navigators & General Insurance (01273 863409) in Brighton, owned by Eagle Star, says that a third of its claims are for theft from boats while moored or laid up.

"We advise people to remove as much equipment as possible from a boat while it is laid up - even aerials, which indicate that expensive goods might be on board," Mr Daniel said.

Another point to watch for is whether your insurance includes frost damage to machinery. After a prolonged spell of cold weather, if an engine is not protected as the manufacturer recommends, all sorts of damage can occur.

GJW Direct (8500 141141), whose parent company is Sphere Drake, is the first yacht and motorboat insurance company to go "direct".

"We wanted to give the general public the opportunity to speak to underwriters," says Roger Dutton of GJW.

"We are offering a new insurance package which includes free legal protection, free personal accident cover, free medical expenses cover and, most important, a 24-hour claims helpline. It is vital to be able to move fast - especially with boats,"Mr Dutton said.

Cover for craft

Examples of what it might cost to insure three different craft, bought new. The premiums could go up or down, depending on individual circumstances.

Value GA GJW N&G

Dinghy pounds 2,000. pounds 60-70 pounds 50 n/a

20ft speedboat pounds 12,000 pounds 450 pounds 310 pounds 389

50ft cruiser pounds 70,000 pounds 595 pounds 390 pounds 430