Theft un-checked and the need for community involvement – read the first-hand report by the victims on their blog (https://www.rubbertorudder.com/) which makes very interesting reading.

CSSN Report:

DATE: 2020-01-27 02:05
LOCATION: Saint Lucia – Rodney Bay – Pigeon Island
EVENT: Theft
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: Dinghy: 13 foot center console, inflatable AB aluminium bottom. All white with gray stripes, 40hp outboard motor with large tow bar off the stern.
SECURED: Locked

DETAILS: 

A yacht anchored for 2 days near Sandals in Rodney Bay had its in-the-water and chain locked 13ft. center console RIB /40HP outboard stolen overnight. The yachts video surveillance recorded the theft.

A police report was made the next morning and the video provided to authorities, who indicated they planned a visit to the yacht later that day before completing their report. As of 5PM no visit had been made. An announcement was made on local VHF and a local search was completed by the owners, but without result.

Two days later the victims discovered their dinghy chained to the back of another yacht. The owner had found their dinghy 4 hours after it was stolen. He reported his discovery to Gros Islet police station the same day the victims reported the theft. For some reason no connection was made and the victims were not informed that their stolen property had been found. The dinghy was missing the outboard.

While making the report, another victim of dinghy theft appeared in the office.