A 2003 black 30-foot Contender fishing boat with dual light-blue Yamaha 200 horsepower out-board motors was stolen around midnight on Tuesday, June 2. It was parked inside the Extra Space Storage, 3555 Exchange St. The boat’s trailer, a 2004 silver Continental with FL tag 4581NW, was also stolen. The trailer had a spare tire mounted on the front and the license plate is the same size as a motorcycle plate.
Anyone with information is asked contact the CCSO at 239-252-9300. Or if you wish to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).
The CCSO offers these suggestions on how to protect your boat and property.
If your boat is in the water or on a trailer:
• Keep the cabin locked and the curtains closed.
• Never leave the keys in the ignition or hide spare keys on the boat.
• When out of the water, store your boat in a well-lit, secure area if possible.
• Select a marina with good security. It should be well lit and busy.
• If possible, store your boat in a locked garage, building or secure storage facility. If that is not possible, secure the trailer to something with a case-hardened chain and a quality lock.
• Consider one of the many wheel locks available on the market and use a quality tongue hitch on the trailer.
• Block the trailer against a building or other structure or vehicle.
If your boat is stored on a lift:
• Keep the power to the lift turned off, with the switch to the lift being in a remote location that’s not accessible to thieves.
• Install an alarm system and tracking device to aid in recovering the vessel in the event it is stolen.
• Some of the local marinas will install a remote switch on the vessel that keeps it from being started.
• Install an electric turn-off switch, also known as a “kill” switch, in a hidden location on the vessel.
You can also secure your boat by:
•Purchasing a GPS and keeping it inside the boat.
• Recording serial numbers, hull numbers and model information of your boat and the equipment on your boat. Make two copies. Keep one in a safe place on the boat and one at home.
• Permanently marking all electronics and other valuable equipment with your driver’s license or state-issued identification number.
• Taking pictures of your boat, boat equipment, and electronics to assist law enforcement in identifying them if stolen.
• Removing the registration from the boat when you are not using it.
• Getting to know neighboring boat owners and your boat storage or marina staff. They need to know who is normally around your boat.
