RIB Security – Part 2

Film It

Take pictures or videotape your RIB, trailer and equipment from all angles. Keep copies at home in a safe place, perhaps alongside your insurance documents.

Alarm It
Consider fitting an alarm system to your RIB. Self-contained systems are inexpensive and can be purchased at good chandleries or online. My personal preference is for the mtrack range of monitoring systems but there are plenty of options out there. Be sure to choose a system specifically designed for boating use. The damp and constantly moving marine environment puts demands on the alarm system requiring special sensors and properly protected location. Systems not designed for marine use may malfunction or report false alarms. Be sure, if you have an enclosed cabin RIB, to include a smoke detector in your alarm system.

Secure It

RIBS should be covered and secured as completely as possible. Ignition switches should be locked and additional steps such as installing a hidden “kill switch,” hidden fuel shut off or removing motor parts such as the coil wire should be considered. RIBs on trailers are easy crime targets if thieves can just hitch up and drive away.

Here are several ways that you can help prevent that:
•    If possible, store the RIB and trailer in a locked garage, secured boat storage facility or mini-storage warehouse.
•    Keep the RIB well inside your driveway, preferably out of sight.
•    If possible, turn the trailer around so that it is “nose” in rather than out.
•    In a carport or driveway, park a vehicle in front of the trailer, blocking easy removal.
•    For any type of outside storage, remove at least one wheel from the trailer.
•    Use a high-security chain and quality lock to secure the boat and trailer to a fixed object such as a tree or post.
•    No matter how you store your trailer, get a trailer hitch lock.
•    Some trailers are available that allow you to remove the forward part of the tongue which contains the hitch.