ATTENTION CRUISERS - Potential Vessel Interference 3rd Sept 2024

Yesterday eveing , at about dusk (2015hrs) I saw a small RIB amongst the moorings closest to the Club shore. It appeared to contain three persons and they, from what I could see from the shore, were attempting to look in the open cockpits of the day-sailors. I heard one voice saying 'try this one' as though they were looking for something specific. I shone my phone torch at them from the shore and they realised they had been spotted and made off. I managed to get a still of them amongst the moorings and then a brief video of them making off at speed. Hopefully, as they were still looking for something when I spotted them, nothing has been taken but it may be worth coming down to check the smaller, open cockpit craft as soon as you can.
As you can imagine, phone footage in dusk light levels isn't particulalry revealing. Is there a River Watch on the Exe? 

Hi Alistair, thank you for being so vigilant in spotting what was likely persons up to no good and ultimately in scaring them off - very timely !
I am personally not ware of any specific river group that operates in a similar fashion as “neighbourhood watch” does but perhaps another member might be able to enlighten us . The only thing we can do is report it to the Harbour Master and Police if we notice suspicious activity again .

Thank you though for highlighting this to us - it is a reminder for everyone to be aware and mindful of such criminal activity and to not leave any valuable items on board our boats and to ensure your boat is secure and adapted to dissuading the opportunist thief from practising their dishonourable and dastardly trade .  

Thanks Alistair for scaring them off. and thanks Paul for your sound advice. We have, over the years, had occasional thefts mainly of outboard motors left on moored boats. We do encourage members to remove their motors and lock them securely out of sight in the cabin or in a secure locker. However, modern outboards are more cumbersome than older motors and are often difficult to be constantly removed and refitted every time the boat is used.

All we can do is check our boats regularly and report any break ins or thefts to the police. However there is rarely anything that the police can do unless the villains are caught red-handed. If the motors are registered with the police there is a better (but still slim) chance of recovery at a later date.

Thanks again,

Julian