Troubled Waters: The Rising Threat of Marine Theft in the UK

As the public's love affair with the water continues, marine theft has evolved into a serious issue. With rising incidents of stolen boats, jet-skis, RIBs, outboard engines, electronics, and more, both hobbyists and professionals are increasingly worried—especially when valuable equipment is left unattended at marinas, moorings, boat yards, on trailers, or kept remotely at second homes.

The Independent notes that UK marine crime—including boats, jet-skis, and parts—is estimated to cost between £20 million and £60 million annually, with a roughly 50% increase since 1990. That said, these figures are likely conservative - underreporting is rife, as many thefts involve small equipment taken from hard‑to‑monitor locations .

• Quick strikes: Smaller watercraft like jet-skis - which are easier to detach and carry - are prime targets.

• Seasonal surge: Theft rates rise during the summer when boats are active and unattended .

• Smuggling networks: Stolen equipment is often sold via boat jumble events or exported abroad, making recovery and conviction harder .

UK police advice (under the “STORM” guideline) emphasises a layered approach :

1. Security – Robust locks, hatch protection, trailer clamps.

2. Track – Markings, serial recording, GPS tracking.

3. Observe – Marina cameras, community vigilance.

4. Report – Early reporting aids recovery.

5. Monitor – Alarms and battery‑powered alerts.

For UK watercraft owners seeking security, peace of mind, and swift recovery, Stealth Tracer offers an unrivalled solution:

• Invisible GPS Tracking: Our covert, IP67 waterproof-rated device can be placed discretely on your watercraft and/or the trailer that transports it. It's self-install too and does not need an external power source, so you can tuck it away in a highly covert location.

• Global Coverage: Our platform works 24/7 and can detect the device's location anywhere it might happen to travel, and our Stealth Sentinel recovery team can support international recoveries, too.

• Thatcham S7 Certified: Our end-to-end tracking, monitoring and recovery solution has been subjected to rigorous scrutiny by the leading industry body.

• Total Portability: Via the Stealth Tracer app, you can easily port your device from one asset to another, giving you total flexibility to deliver the protection where you need it the most. And you can run multiple devices (for which there are discounts available) from a single Stealth Tracer app account.

In summary, marine crime in the UK is rapidly growing, with a trend toward organised theft rings. And while physical locks and community watch are essential, they aren’t enough on their own.