Pleasurecraft insurer Navigators & General (N&G) is urging UK boat owners to take precautions and remain vigilant over the winter months to avoid becoming a victim of the rising number of metal thefts.
Bronze items such as statues, bells and plaques are targeted by thieves, and copper disappearances from a wide range of locations is being reported. Police forces are describing an “explosion” in thefts of metal which is often melted down, re-shaped and then sold on as scrap. This is mainly due to the fact that copper values have doubled in the last two years. A recent BBC report showed that metal thefts are up between 100 and 170 per cent in some areas across the UK.*
With many boat owners having bronze or alloy propellers, this increase does leave them at risk, particularly over the darker winter months if boats are laid up ashore. Even boats with copper sheaving on their hull could be vulnerable.
N&G is advising customers to check on the level of security offered by their chosen yard and only use established boatyards or secure compounds to store their boats. For complete peace of mind owners should consider removing props altogether over the lay-up period and safely store them away.
If a customer is a victim of such a theft, the costs of replacing propellers can run to hundreds of pounds**. In addition, owners face the huge inconvenience of having to source the correct prop, (plus other missing parts) for their particular boat and engine. This can take many weeks; not ideal if discovered the day before the spring launch.
N&G strongly advises boat owners to check the wording of their insurance policies and endorsements to ensure that they cover “theft of equipment following forcible and violent removal from the exterior of the vessel”. Some policies only cover “theft of equipment following forcible entry”, which may exclude some claims of props stolen off the shafts.
Simon Tonks, Development Manager for N&G said, “With the rising number of metal thefts being fuelled by record metal prices, it’s important for our customers to be aware of the risk. We want the UK’s boat owners to be forewarned and therefore forearmed, and with a relatively small amount of planning, they can prevent an extremely inconvenient and costly theft.”
-ENDS-
*BBC obtained figures in October 2007 showing a 170% metal theft increase in Cambridgeshire, 120% in West Mercia, 112% in the West Midlands, and 100% in Warwickshire and Sussex.
**Steel Developments Propeller Repairs and Sales indicated a cost price of £450.00 for an 18” three blade bronze prop and £165.00 for a two blade 12” bronze prop, plus VAT. More at: www.steeldevelopments.co.uk Tel: 020 8874 7509.
For further information contact:
Joe Field, PR Consultant, Tel: 01273 863 422 or e: joe.field@navandgen.co.uk
Keith Lewis, Media Relations, Tel: 01489 561 708, e: keith.lewis@uk.zurich.com
Simon Tonks, Development Manager, Navigators & General,
Tel : 01273 863 417 or e: simon.tonks@uk.zurich.com
