Marinas that aren’t worried about theft should be. There are two groups of marinas when it comes to thefts: those who have already been victims, and those who will be eventually.

What is being stolen: high dollar value center console sportfisherman, high horse power, primarily Yamaha outboards (200HP and up) and GPS/Chartplotter units (primarily Garmin).

How big is the problem? That is difficult to quantify entirely, but according to statistics gathered by IAMI, it is estimated to be in the range of $100 million per year with the vast majority of that coming from the U.S. and western European countries. This impacts everyone in the marine industry, from the boat owners and marinas to the marine insurers and law enforcement.
What is the typical MO (modus operandi)? Well, that depends on what was stolen, where and when. According to Lietenant Nancy Alvarez of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (ground zero for the marine theft epidemic in Florida), the thefts are occurring in storage yards, with vessels hauled and blocked and sometimes in the water.

The suspects hot-wired the boat and took it out on Lake Erie for a “joy ride” before returning to a beach area west of Redbrook Boat Club, in Saybrook Township, according to information gathered by ODNR investigator Jim Gorman. 

Shortly before sunrise on July 21, the suspects are believed to have untied the boat from a beach dock and restarted the engine.

The boat’s steering mechanism was tied off into a fixed position and the engine throttle was set to full speed before it was set loose, unoccupied, toward Canada.

According to ODNR, the unmanned boat abruptly turned out of control and eventually crashed into a cement breakwater east of Redbrook.

Residents who live along the Lake Erie shoreline heard the crash and, not knowing the boat was unmanned, called 911 for help.