Gardaí warn boat owners to beware of engine thefts

Gardaí are warning boat owners to protect their valuable outboard motors after a spate of thefts in the southwest by a highly professional gang, who it’s believed are smuggling them abroad for resale.

The pickings are very lucrative as some outboard engines can be worth up to €50,000.

The gang’s most recent target was Carrigaline boatyard in Co Cork, where they helped themselves to six outboard engines, steering cables, throttle units and control boxes.

The outboard engines stolen were two Suzuki 140Hp, one Honda 150Hp, a Yamaha 115Hp, Honda 50Hp and Yamaha 25Hp

Cork City Garda Division crime prevention officer Sergeant Tony Davis warned that the gang were likely to become more active in the coming weeks and that boat owners should ensure valuable machinery is secure.

The gang know many boats are being taken out of winter storage to be put on marinas and moorings, which presents them with greater opportunities.

Sgt Davis said gardaí were seeing an increase in the number of thefts of engines, chartplotters, sat navs, marine VHF radios, EPIRBs, binoculars, boat trailers, wheels, hitches, lifejackets, and other boating equipment.

It is believed the gang carry out reconnaissance missions before picking a target where they take the optimum amount of equipment. In particular they have struck the Cork coastline, Galway and Dublin.

“They have stolen a lot of high-end, very expensive engines. Last year they took a 300Hp one from Cork which was worth €50,000 minimum,” Sgt Davis said.

“The gang are very well organised. Very few of the outboard engines have been recovered, which suggests to us that they are not being resold in this country,” he said.

Gardaí have suggested boat owners should take adequate security precautions to protect their property and reduce the risk of theft.

They can do this by using locks, alarm systems, GPS tracking systems, CCTV, wheel clamps or other security devices. They should also remove all unsecured equipment and keep it locked up away from the marina.

Sgt Davis said owners should record the make, model and serial numbers of their boat, engines, boat trailers, chartplotters, radios and other equipment.

“Simply take a photograph of them with your phone and email them to your own email address so you can keep them in the event that they are stolen,” he said.

Gardaí have also advised people who are buying marine equipment to always check proof of seller’s identity and address.

They should also check that chassis numbers or ID numbers have not been removed or altered and make a note of the seller’s vehicle registration number.

Gardaí believe the gang, which struck in Crosshaven on the night of April 11-12, travelled there in a white Volkswagen Transporter and a red Volkswagen Bora car. They were last seen travelling northbound through the Jack Lynch tunnel at 4.09am on the Sunday.

Anybody with information is asked to contact Carrigaline Garda Station at 021 491 9370 or the Garda confidential line at 1800 666 111.

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