It is, in my experience, an awful thing to board your boat and see the damage which has been done to it by thieves who have broken-in.
That happened to me a few years ago on my mooring at Crosshaven in Cork Harbour, not far from the Royal Cork Yacht Club out of which I sail and it was club staff who alerted me to what had happened.
My boat is a Sigma 33, Scribbler and this week, in the context of recent Garda investigations in Cork into marine thefts, I am recalling in my Podcast what happened and how I felt at the time and urging owners to remember to protect your boat.
I have been reminded of what happened by the recent Garda investigation carried in the Western and Northern areas of Cork County, as well as in the city, against what they described as “an organised crime group” engaged in marine theft. Boat engines were seized and two men arrested. Gardai from three divisions, plus a regional support unit were involved.
This was the reminder for me of the break-in to my own Sigma 33 on the mooring at Crosshaven, not far from the RCYC clubhouse and marina, a few years ago.
Listen to the Podcast here where I start by describing the damage and my emotions at the time and then facing a decision about the boat following the attack on her.
When you have listened set about, if you haven’t done so already, protecting your boat.
