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Dinghy Thefts
#183516
02/09/2019 07:29 AM
02/09/2019 07:29 AM
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 322
Christo
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 322
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I just spotted this article: https://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=30129Whilst it seems to only refer to thefts from marinas I was wondering if anyone on here has ever had issues when on charter in the BVI? When sailing our own yacht in the Caribbean we always locked the dinghy when going ashore and always locked it to the yacht overnight. Several friends who didn't use a lock had their dinghies stolen in the night...albeit those three thefts were Tobago Cays / St Vincent / St Lucia, not BVI. When chartering in the BVI we have never locked our dinghy, not when going ashore and not overnight on a mooring. Does anyone? If so, do you bring your own lock? We have never been provided with one from Sunsail/Moorings.
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Re: Dinghy Thefts
[Re: Christo]
#183539
02/09/2019 10:36 AM
02/09/2019 10:36 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,265 Saint Thomas, USVI
CaptainJay
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,265
Saint Thomas, USVI
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I just spotted this article: https://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=30129Whilst it seems to only refer to thefts from marinas I was wondering if anyone on here has ever had issues when on charter in the BVI? When sailing our own yacht in the Caribbean we always locked the dinghy when going ashore and always locked it to the yacht overnight. Several friends who didn't use a lock had their dinghies stolen in the night...albeit those three thefts were Tobago Cays / St Vincent / St Lucia, not BVI. When chartering in the BVI we have never locked our dinghy, not when going ashore and not overnight on a mooring. Does anyone? If so, do you bring your own lock? We have never been provided with one from Sunsail/Moorings. Please continue to leave yours unlocked . That way a lazy thief will still yours instead of mine. :-) We have provided cables and locks for years and require our guests to lock them as a condition of insurance. I was recently told by a member of law enforcement on St Thomas that a large number of dinghies are being stolen in Tortola/BVI to smuggle people into the US via St John. The federal government seizes boats when they are caught coming in. So the smugglers are stealing dinghies and having their "clients" dinghy over to St John to avoid bringing the big boats into US Waters.
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Re: Dinghy Thefts
[Re: bailau]
#183708
02/10/2019 06:46 PM
02/10/2019 06:46 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 70 Nixa, Missouri
philthepilot
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 70
Nixa, Missouri
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This year will be our 11th year in a row sailing in the BVI. We always lock our dinghy at the dock and to the boat at night. Last year we were at Leverick in a slip and I pulled the dinghy around and locked it up at the dinghy dock in the corner at the end of the dock . We were up stairs about to eat dinner and I noticed a young local man sitting on the sidewalk with his feet in my dinghy. He just set there for a few minutes watching everyone that walked by. He then steps down into the dinghy and pulls out our paddles and puts them flat on the ground and pushes them against a short wall. At this point I'm heading that way. By the time it took me to get down the stairs he was just walking by with the paddles. I confronted him and I told him those were my paddles. He didn't have anything to say and I took the paddles back and put them in the boat. We never put the paddles back into the dinghy until we arrived back a Horizon. I'm not sure what a set of paddles cost, but I have no doubt if I hadn't been watching the dinghy, I would have bought Horizon a new set.
Phil Nixa, Mo.
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Re: Dinghy Thefts
[Re: mcevog]
#183741
02/11/2019 08:38 AM
02/11/2019 08:38 AM
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 62
mfringsley
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 62
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TMM supplies a padlock and wire pendant to secure the dinghy. We also tend to remove the kill tab when we leave the dinghy on a dock as that would deter casual “tea leaves”! Having said that... we have never had the problem, touch wood. We have also used TMM several times and do the same. Better to be safe than sorry!
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Re: Dinghy Thefts
[Re: Christo]
#183779
02/11/2019 03:05 PM
02/11/2019 03:05 PM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,100 Maryland
Twanger
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,100
Maryland
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[quote=Christo]On our own dinghy back in Blighty we have an engine lock also, which prevents the engine being removed from the transom. I've never seen one on a charter dinghy...which would make pinching one of those shiny new Yamaha 15hp engines incredibly easy.[quote]
Christo brings up a good point. Usually the lock and cable supplied by the charter company is long enough to secure the dingy, engine, and fuel tank to the dock. Just loop it through something metal on each that can't be easily broken.
Last edited by Twanger; 02/11/2019 03:05 PM.
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Re: Dinghy Thefts
[Re: Christo]
#183787
02/11/2019 04:15 PM
02/11/2019 04:15 PM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 216 Dana Point
captdennyj
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 216
Dana Point
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many of those bare boat charter dinghys all look pretty much the same. Some have numbers to I.D. them,
We lock up the dink with the cable that the bare boat charter company has given us. I also take the shut down cord with me when going ashore.
it would be easy, after a few pain killers to hop in the wrong dinghy, especially when they can get moved around, retied, etc.
In 35 years , we have never had a problem with theft , or any crime. or confrontation in the BVI.
However, with the two hurricanes, some nare-- do wells, may be taking advantage of the rich tourists. Sounds like a little deeper in the Caribbean style.
We always carry our oars, on board the dink due to the mistrust and problems that we have had with dinghy motors. I can secured them on board the boat at night, but not sure what we can do about that when we dink ashore. We can lock up the dink thru dock cleats or boards, so the major theft is averted.
Thank you all for the up dates, I am very sorry to hear that the visitors are being preyed upon. That situation could expand to boats being broken into, pilferred and valuables and gear stolen.
As much as we love the BVI, we did not spend all that money, airlines, boats , hotels, partying and dining ashore cash, to have some one steal from us. It does not sound like the BVI govt much cares. There will be our 2019 BVI sailing vacation, and we will ask around . Who knows if there will be a 2020 BVI trip. That actually hurts the heart, since there are so many wonderful people in the BVI. That stealing is very sad to comprehend. That turkey who stole the oars, did not appear to be the least bit worried about being busted. No penalty, no fear, the stealing will continue to expand.
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Re: Dinghy Thefts
[Re: captdennyj]
#183814
02/11/2019 08:51 PM
02/11/2019 08:51 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
sail445
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
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Capt Denny, Your quote about being around fo 35 years:: As much as we love the BVI, we did not spend all that money, airlines, boats , hotels, partying and dining ashore cash, to have some one steal from us. It does not sound like the BVI govt much cares. There will be our 2019 BVI sailing vacation, and we will ask around . Who knows if there will be a 2020 BVI trip. That actually hurts the heart, since there are so many wonderful people in the BVI. That stealing is very sad to comprehend. That turkey who stole the oars, did not appear to be the least bit worried about being busted. No penalty, no fear, the stealing will continue to expand.
Don’t expect much from the government because the government doesn’t have a clue about the definition of business in any sense. There will be a big huff and puff about crime and for a few weeks they’ll send out their so called crime preventers and then it starts all over again.
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Re: Dinghy Thefts
[Re: Christo]
#183844
02/12/2019 09:13 AM
02/12/2019 09:13 AM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 216 Dana Point
captdennyj
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 216
Dana Point
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sail
I guess all we can do, is to have our usual great sails and good times, and do our best to stay smart, have situational awareness, remain positive and respectful. I told Erica, we are going to make this next trip the absolute best BVI TIME, ever.
Our usual practice , when on board, and securing the dink, is to use a proper cleat hitch to the stern quarter deck cleat and a back up bowline to a bight on to the stern pulpit. Maybe this time, talk to the conch crew, and see if I can get two of those cables and locks, and extend the length, secure them to the boat to give us some additional distance so that the dink does not thud into the stern during the evenings . No BS, about the dink coming loose and the evil doer saying he found it adrift.
Also, is anyone aware of certain areas that are more prone to stealing or holding the dinghy for ransom. Sounds like Tortola, and Virgin Gorda from the posts. ,Regardless, we will be locking the dink up as best we can. I can also , when at the boat, remove the fuel line. Just anything to make stealing our dink a bit more of a problem. ,
Less worry, and more party .
Denny and Erica
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Re: Dinghy Thefts
[Re: Christo]
#183956
02/13/2019 07:53 AM
02/13/2019 07:53 AM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 216 Dana Point
captdennyj
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 216
Dana Point
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Steve,
How old are the kids ?
You may have to have a good common sense talk with them. Not to scare them witless, but to call their attention to their surroundings and make some specific rules. On board, ashore, snorkeling, swimming, hiking, exploring, etc.
You may also have to maintain the integrity of the family, and not leave them on board on their own .
Erica and I were talking last night, and without prior knowledge, mentioned Trellis Bay as a possible problem as to places on Tortola to be especially alert. Trellis , for us is not much of a problem, since, we are not big fans of the mooring area, and have other islands and cays that are more to our personal liking.
We will be doing our best to not make our vessel or dink a target. Lock up the vessel when not on board. Also, before going ashore for an evening , turn on spreader lights and leave a cabin light on down below .. Maybe, hook up the coconut light in the cockpit as well We turn off any un necessary lights or breakers when back on board. Anchor lights drain batteries big time, so we do not use that when on a mooring. Also, lock up the dink when going ashore, with the cable through the out board as well.
Additional idea.
We have found , at night , in crowded anchorages all of the same type of vessels look , well pretty much the same. Which of the fleet on moorings is ours ? To find our boat easily, we know roughly where it is moored. We also have different flags on our flag halyard that helps I.D. our vessel, two large different U.S.A state flags, and Pirate cocktail happy hour flag, as well as different lights illuminated. I know this is a little off topic but it flows in with illuminating the decks and cockpit to discourage anyone from breaking into the vessel. There are easier pickings from boats that are dark, and un-locked dinghys,and dinks that are not properly secured . .
These are preventive measures that you can take, As to family members, you are responsible as to how to handle their safety, and that includes all categories of your vacation.
What are your families safety rules at home ? Maybe expand on those a bit for your sailing vacation .
As far as we are aware, there have been no abductions or attacks on children, but tourist oriented countries , sometimes keep that info very quiet. Never heard of any of those types of situations in the BVI with visitors.
Again, we have had 35 years of absolutely marvelous trouble free BVI sailing vacations. But, we do have situational awareness, and endeavor to stop the problems before they arise. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Only one problem on all of our world wide sailing. That was during a delivery from Cabo , Mexico, to Los Angeles, and were boarded by a pirate. I greeted him with a large metal flare gun pointed at his chest. End of problem. Nothing in the BVI ,
Just stay ahead of the power curve, make and follow ships rules, maintain situational awareness in a relaxed mode, and all should be perfect or a fantastic family BVI sailing vacation.
Last edited by captdennyj; 02/13/2019 07:58 AM.
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Re: Dinghy Thefts
[Re: Christo]
#183971
02/13/2019 10:39 AM
02/13/2019 10:39 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 347 Maine USA
mainesailor
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 347
Maine USA
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Our experience is that around 75% of boats in mooring fields in the BVI have their light on when on a ball...but i'd also add that a fair few of those seem to turn it on at the start of their charter and off again at the end of the week! You got that right......I suspect that when we go in March we might be the only boat without our mast light on...probably easier to spot our boat....we might be the only monohull in most harbors too. 
I always take life with a grain of salt. Plus a slice of lemon, and a shot of tequila
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Re: Dinghy Thefts
[Re: mainesailor]
#183983
02/13/2019 12:34 PM
02/13/2019 12:34 PM
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 62 North of Memphis
Midsouth
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 62
North of Memphis
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Our experience is that around 75% of boats in mooring fields in the BVI have their light on when on a ball...but i'd also add that a fair few of those seem to turn it on at the start of their charter and off again at the end of the week! You got that right...... I suspect that when we go in March we might be the only boat without our mast light on...probably easier to spot our boat....we might be the only monohull in most harbors too.  What part of March are you headed down? We’ll be there the last week, 22-30. We’ll be sailing a Beneteau 32.
Last edited by Midsouth; 02/13/2019 12:35 PM.
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