The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Bahamian marina operators yesterday demanded “stiffer penalties” for boat thieves, their incoming association president telling Tribune Business the issue was giving the sector a “black eye”.

Stephen Kappeler, next Marina Operators of the Bahamas (MoB) head, said: “There needs to be a stronger bite on the criminals who are committing these thefts.

“There have been  number of boat thefts. I believe we may be getting an official report from the police, who have been working very well with us. They did a report at a meeting back, I think, in April and it did appear that boat thefts appeared to be on the rise.”

The Treasure Cay Resort and Marina’s general manager added: “But it also appears that a larger number of boats are being recovered.

“These boats are being stolen and are used to likely move people, because many times there is not much damage. The boats just appear on the beach in another market with not much damage to them. These are not just foreign boats but also Bahamian boats.”

Mr Kappeler said between 50-60 marinas across the Bahamas are a part of the association. “When we learn of boat thefts we post them on our Facebook page, but also send out alerts via e-mail,” he added.

    “There needs to be a stiffer penalty for boat theft, that’s part of what needs to happen. We would like to see the penalties increase because it’s really bringing a back eye to the industry. It’s a big negative. People are not coming to the Bahamas because of this problem. While we have boat thefts, so do the Florida Cays and other places in the world.”

     North Abaco MP, Renardo Curry, earlier this week said he feared the destruction of Abaco’s tourism market as a boat theft ring continues to thrive “at an all time high”.

He added that a recent boat theft victim was the son of the Miami Dolphins owner, Stephen Ross.

Dennis Lightbourne, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce president, told Tribune Business earlier this week that boat thefts in the Abacos have been a “serious and ongoing” concern, creating the impression that it was an unsafe boating destination.

“All of the resort operators, marina operators, cottage renters; pretty much everyone involved with the second home and tourist market here on Abaco, is very concerned about the boat thefts,” Mr Lightbourne said.

“We are developing a reputation of being an unsafe boating destination. For years we have looked to build Abaco as the boating capital of the Bahamas, and yet if we become the boat theft capital of the Bahamas that doesn’t bode well for us,”

He added: “I think this needs to be given serious attention by police. I think the police need to go to the marina operators and get their take. I think the people who are in the industry here in Abaco have ideas and have brought up solutions.

“I would like to see a meeting between the police and concerned parties on Abaco, and come up with a solution.

“This is now the talk of the boating community. Our guests are realising that they have to take extreme measures with their boats. There is talk of locking your boats, and tracking devices, and it takes away from the relaxed atmosphere. They think they can come down here and chill, and then they come and have to worry about theft.”