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| Routine
boatwatch activity involves more than half of the
Club members who are allocated to Watch Leaders.
These Leaders with their teams take
responsibility for a week at a time and undertake
random patrols by boat and on shore according to
the tides, covering Kingsbridge, Bowcombe and
Frogmore. Logs are opened with the police for
information exchange and we use high visibility
jackets and powerful spotlights as well as radios
and mobile phones. We have high-spec night vision
equipment after being awarded a grant from the
local Police Neighbourhood Fund. We now also have
marking systems for boats and equipments
including the latest DNA and microdot coded
system and will continue to run marking days for
KEBC members and members of the boating public. |
Boatwatch
& Security for Summer 2009 .. an update from
the Co-ordinator
This season has seen a 75% marine crime reduction
in the Kingsbridge estuary. We cannot claim full
credit for this as the Harbour security team are
a key element in local knowledge and information.
However, we should feel justifiably pleased with
the efforts of our 12 teams in the upper estuary
with high visibility and random patrols.
Security is not all about teams so everybody
please continue to keep vigilant during the
winter and call me if you have any concerns which
are not direct Harbour or police matters. I would
like to personally thank the Leaders this season
as invariably they had their weeks planned before
I called them. One sad note was the accident to
Graham Oke which left him unable to lead his team
this season.
Thanks also to the local Police team for their
ongoing support with Sgt Corkhill ensuring Logs
for our patrols are notified to me each week,
removing a past frustration. We also received
further funding which continues to enhance our
security capability with improved Boatwatch
jackets and an infrared spotlight to extend our
night vision range.
We again enjoyed two successful marking days
after much frustration over public liability
eventually solved with the support of the Police
and Kingsbridge Town Council.
Forty pieces of equipment were marked, free of
charge due to the mentioned funding and a number
of new members also joined on the days.
The spin off is indicated by the recovery of
equipment from an early season break-in to a
members’ boat which was marked and labelled
and found dumped soon after.
Our patrols frustration seeing poorly secured
equipment was addressed by inviting Wills Marine
who exhibited a range of outboard engine locks
and Burfords Locksmiths who exhibited security
equipment of which the star was their
through-hardened chain which combined with a high
security padlock cannot be cut with bolt croppers
or hacksaw.
A relatively new Police initiative involves the
provision of PVC/fabric outboard engine covers
marked up with Devon and Cornwall Police logos.
These are sold at cost of approximately £15 and
are meant to be placed over your outboard having
removed the moulded cover to a secure location.
The cover also includes a unique microdot marking
kit, similar to the included microdots in our DNA
marking system so represents excellent value for
money. I have samples if you are interested and
while size remains a discussion point we hope to
clarify this soon.
Ian Drinkwater
Boatwatch Co-ordinator December 2009
For
more information on marking or Boatwatch contact
Ian Drinkwater on 852938 |
 Ian
Drinkwater "DNA" marking an outboard
The co-operation with the
local Police is a positive feature of KEBC
Boatwatch
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Devon & Cornwall Police are selling
breathable outboard engine covers for ca. £15
(as illustrated click to supersize). The idea is
that the outboard's top is removed when the boat
is moored and replaced with one of these covers,
the principle being that no one wants to steal an
outboard without a proper top. Contact Ian for
further info or Devon & Cornwall Police
direct (but please not on 999) |
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