#ClubNews - Sailing clubs are urged to give their security a rethink as news emerges of thieves apparently targeting boats in storage for their aluminium.
The Flying Fifteen Blog highlights a recent incident at Welton Sailing Club on the Humber Estuary in which "a significant number of aluminium masts were stolen from dinghies".
A member of Humber Yawl Club wrote of the break-in: "Shroud wires have been cut to release the masts, which must have been removed in either a lorry or a van.
"While the club has experienced break-ins in the past, this is the first occasion when aluminium materials have been stolen. It would appear the club was targeted specifically for this material."
That metal thieves, who commonly steal copper from railway cabling or lead from roofs, have turned their attention to aluminium fittings on boats should be of great concern to boat clubs throughout the UK and Ireland.
Many club storage facilities have at best only the protection of a padlock in exposed dinghy parks, as theft of boats themselves is a riskier proposition for criminals.
But as the scrap value of the aluminium boats contain increases, perhaps we should take another look at our boat club security measures.
