Incident Date: 2017-10-17 at 23:00
Event Type: Theft
Stolen Items: 185ft 1/2inch Anchor Chain
Secured: Not Locked
Source Type: 1st Hand Report
Incident Details: Overnight 185 ft. of 1/2 inch anchor chain was stolen. It had been stored in a metal barrel with a closed lid under a yacht located next to the restaurant at Clarkes Court Bay Boatyard. The owners discovered the theft the next day, the barrel had not been moved and the lid had been put back in place. Boatyard security/management was informed immediately, and admitted this was not the first theft of a significant amount of chain from the yard. The boatyard was well searched but no chain was found and owners "put out the word" that all they wanted was the chain back. The next day during a driving rain the owners were told by a boatyard subcontractor that a pile of chain was at the end of the yard, in an area that had been thoroughly searched the prior evening. It was their chain, lying on the same blue bag that had previously contained it, inside the now empty barrel. No police report was filed.||CSSN NOTE: While this may seem a satisfactory ending for these owners, others who visit this yard, or any other yard or marina, should ask about any incidents and make certain management has put effective processes in place to prevent theft from the premises. Asking these questions BEFORE you patronize a facility will allow you to make informed decisions, and serves as a reminder of the importance of good security to those responsible for providing it. Those who have put robust processes in place, and then monitor their effectiveness, will be proud to tell you about them. Then make your own inspection. Examples of effective controls include well secured perimeters, gate control with logged access landside, 24HR monitoring of waterside access, robust video surveillance, inspection of exiting vehicles/backpacks, a posted policy of "zero tolerance" and prosecution of offenders.
