[Boat Search]

Having just looked at the site, my first thoughts are: a picture is a must, then some information about the boat like colour scheme (which wouldn't have changed if we got this info quickly), engine, distinguishing features, in fact whatever the owner can tell us about the boat - at the moment there is just a picture a length and a builder, which doesn't help a lot

 

By the way, if you have a boat, why not take a picture or two of it asap, just in case yours is next to be stolen. I wonder how many owners don't have a recent picture of their boat?

 

There is a facility to add a photograph and description of each stolen boat. The information shown has been entered either by the stolen boat's insurers or the police, and they can only list what information has been provided by the owners.

 

To re-iterate Canal Shop Man, keep a set of photos of your boat and a note any identifying marks. Some identifying marks can be kept private on the website to prevent the thieves looking at the site and then covering their tracks.

 

Finally the site's success will be dictated by the number of people who know of its existence. It has already been said on the forum, the only way in which we will beat the bad-guys, is to communicate more.

 

Jon

[Boat Search]

I'm convinced it's worth enhancing this existing site to better embrace canals, particularly as it has useful features like e-mail alerts built in.

 

Alan

 

If anyone has any suggestions, to improve the site let me know and I'll pass them on.

 

And the more people that get to know about it - the better.

 

Jon

[Boat Search]

We shouldn't re-invent the wheel but we can help by drawing attention to this site . . .

 

I have spoken to the administrator of StolenBoats.org.uk this morning who has now added a category for Narrowboats.

 

Anyone interested, can now sign up on the mailing list and receive an email alert whenever a stolen narrowboat is posted.

[Boat Search]

And I don't see Cragdale on it. What I do see though is...

 

Latest Thefts

Showing results 1 to 10 of 1212

 

Latest Recoveries

Showing results 1 to 10 of 62

 

Don't think it's working somehow

 

Working in the boat insurance industry, I can confirm that StolenBoats.org.uk does work, as a 5% recovery rate is far better than the situation 2 years ago before the site began. We have also seen a reduction in the numbers of boats being stolen. The short-comings of the Police National Computer has also meant that the police marine units will check this site for information rather than their own computers.

 

Thankfully the theft of narrowboats is rare and so there are only a few narrowboats listed. The owners of "Cragdale" should contact their insurers to get the boat listed, or alternatively send me the details, and I'll get it listed on the site.

 

If forum members think that it would also be useful to set up a separate category for narrowboats or inland waterways, let me know and I'll contact the site developers.

 

Jon

[Narrowboat Insurance from Noble Marine]

Website Name: Narrowboat Insurance from Noble Marine

 

Website URL: www.noblemarine.co.uk

 

Website Description: Immediate online insurance quotations for narrowboats and canal boats. If the quotation is acceptable, cover can be bought on-line.

 

Any other comments: Also available via the web site is a list of UK Marinas, Marine Surveyors, and a searchable database of local repairers.