With 179 recreational boats stolen across Germany, almost nine per cent fewer boat thefts were registered last year compared to 2018. This represents a decrease of 40 per cent over the last four years. The downward trend in thefts of outboard motors is even more pronounced: After 988 outboard motors were added to the wanted lists nationwide in 2018, this figure fell by almost 20 per cent to 795 in 2019 - and thus by as much as 45 per cent in the last three years.
These figures were recently published by the Competence Centre for Boat Crime (KBK), which is part of the Constance Water Police Station.
The north and east are more affected than the south of Germany
This positive development is primarily due to a significant drop in theft in the northern and eastern federal states, which is likely to be attributable to the successful investigative work there, including numerous arrests. In contrast, the changes in the southern federal states over the last three years have been marginal; Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg have always recorded significantly fewer thefts in the maritime sector.
The KBK statement goes on to say: "The growing number of checks in Germany may also have deterred offenders, as more and more investigative units trained by the KBK are targeting boat crime. Last but not least, pleasure boat owners are also becoming increasingly sensitised, reporting suspicious persons and vehicles and thus making the offenders' work more difficult."
Investigators put the total loss in Germany for 2019 at around six and a half million euros.
On a positive note, the KBK also reported the highest result for the seizure value of stolen or misappropriated pleasure boats and outboard motors in 2019 since the investigation unit was established. One seized motor yacht alone had a value of three million euros.
Stolen boats recovered around the world
In cooperation with police forces in Germany and twelve European countries, a total of 21 pleasure craft, three jet skis, 99 outboard motors and 15 boat trailers with a total value of over 6.2 million euros were seized (2018: 5.1 million euros). This means that the search unit has been "significantly involved" in securing maritime assets totalling over 42 million euros in the 19 years of its existence.
Also noteworthy: for the first time, most of the seizures were not made in Germany, but in Montenegro (10 motorboats, 2 sailing yachts, 3 jet skis and 7 outboard motors with a total value of 1.2 million euros). Two large-scale control operations were carried out there as part of an EU project. The remaining seizures were spread across twelve neighbouring European countries. Investigators were even successful in Thailand, where a sailing catamaran worth 770,000 euros was seized.
Beware of dubious offers
Prospective buyers should exercise caution. Thieves often try to sell engines and boats over the Internet, sometimes with professionally falsified serial numbers and what at first glance appear to be plausible histories. To protect citizens from buying stolen goods and possibly making themselves liable to prosecution, the KBK investigators offer to have the desired object checked before purchase. This offer also applies to citizens from Switzerland and Austria (enquiries should be directed to the KBK by telephone on +49/7531 5902-300).
The current wanted poster for stolen boats, including information on protection against fraudsters and thieves, is available here.
Pascal Schürmann
Editor YACHT
