Preventing Sawley engine thefts

ALTHOUGH the police were brought in to investigate the boat outboard engine thefts at Sawley Marina earlier this year, engines are still being stolen.

An outboard was stolen from the cruiser Ruby owned by Neil Simm last week, with thieves coming prepared with cutting equipment, being able to cut through all cables and locks, with Neil adding:

Very angry

"This left us very angry with the security at Sawley, they are aware of the problem and doing something about it but it's too late for us. It's happening far too often. I suspect that they came from the water side as the canopy was undone on that side."

There have been similar thefts in the past, with one boater, Mike Bass having had the misfortune to have had two outboards stolen from his Viking cruiser within six months as was reported in narrowboatworld. (Another Sawley theft.)

More security

BWML agree that the thefts are via water at night and not through pontoon gates, and have arranged night time security patrols, with local patrol staff assisting in the search for craft that perhaps are navigating during the night and it has positive leads. Also viewings of craft for sale on the pontoons affected are being accompanied by staff, with mixed use of sale and berth holders' boats.

As for the future, Darren Bramhall of Sawley Marina told narrowboatworld:

"You are aware of the CCTV & Key Fob projects that are due to commence in September, this will include the bridge entrance to be covered.

We are seeking as to what marina entrance barriers we could perhaps install, as navigation should not be happening after dusk, this needs working on so as not to adversely impact on berth holders.

I trust that you can see Sawley marina is acting in a very positive and quick way to improve and enhance the security at the marina and to the customers."