Boat and marine equipment - a growing target for crime
There has been an awakening of sorts within the marine industry relating to vessel theft, rebirthing and related fraud. Even within the relatively small Australian market, a National Maritime Crime Forum estimated the annual cost of marine theft to the community to be in the region of A$15 million.
In 2002, the Australian Police uncovered a Pandora’s box of maritime criminal activities when they discovered $200,000 worth of stolen jet skis in one bust - exposing a well organized racket stealing valuable accessories and re-birthing expensive boats.
A lifeline
Taking the fight against crime to the waters and providing a lifeline to boat owners and marine operators and manufacturers is DataDot Technology with the use of DataDot DNA.
Between 1,500 and 4,000 DataDot DNA may be applied per vessel, each laser-etched with a unique Hull Identification Number (HIN) or a Personal Identification Number (PIN).
DataDot DNA is impervious to salt water and can be applied easily to key components and areas of water craft and accessories. In fact, the technology can be applied by individual boat owners or by the manufacturer with a simple, effective Do-It-Yourself procedure specially developed easy brush-on applications.
This allows customers to “DataDot” their own assets at their own time and convenience - with ease and peace of mind.
On the manufacturing end, DataDot Technology has developed a specialized spray process. This process covers the hull, inboard/outboard engine and any other expensive parts with DataDot DNA, in no more than three minutes.
With such saturation and extensive coverage, unauthorized removal of DataDot DNA will prove to be highly ineffective and certainly costly. All it takes is just one tiny DataDot left to let the police know that a craft is stolen.
This serves as a highly effective deterrent to professional thieves and organized crime.
Proven
In face of the thriving marine crime industry, support for DataDot DNA has been growing rapidly.
It is now endorsed by several organizations in our Australian test market including the Australian Marine Industries Federation, the Outboard Distributors Association Australia, the NSW Maritime Authority, NSW Water Police and Queensland Water Police.
Marine manufacturers using DataDot DNA technology include Southwind Marine Products, Tohatsu Outboards, Cox Craft, Riviera, SeaDoo, Steben, Allison Boats, Southern Star, Mercury Marine, Seafarer, Haines Signature & Traveller, Mustang Pleasure Boats, Noble SuperVee, Sailfish, SunRunner and Haines Hunter.
In addition, Australia’s largest marine insurer, Club Marine, now waivers the $1000 theft excess for boats protected by DataDot DNA while SPT PWC Insurance offers policy holders with craft protected by DataDot a 10% premium discount and a reduced theft excess.