Port Authority and Department of Tourism welcome Carnival Cruise Lines Volunteers for Coastal Clean-Up

The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, in partnership with the Port Authority of the Cayman Islands and crew members of Carnival Cruise Lines’ Dream and Sensation, supported Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Clean-up programme. Volunteers donated their time and effort to assist in cleaning the Coe-Wood public beach area in Bodden Town from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm on 15 September 2016.

R-L: Joanne Diaz-Berry, Office Manager, Port Authority of the Cayman Islands; Clement Reid, Director, Port Authority of the Cayman Islands; Jessica Pawlik, Tourism Development Services Manager, Cayman Islands Department of Tourism; Eldon Chisholm, Product Development Officer, Cayman Islands Department of Tourism plus crew members of Carnival Dream and Carnival Sensation as they prepare to clean-up Coe-Wood Beach in Bodden Town.

Over the past several weeks there have been a number of marine related thefts where boats and other marine equipment have been stolen. Police are investigating these incidents and have been fortunate in making some recoveries. However, it is the Joint Marine Unit’s intention is to advise boat owners to better secure their property. Although marine related thefts are not limited to these two categories, we see a trend of fast boats capable of reaching neighboring countries being targeted and boats with small engines which are relatively easy to remove.

MARK IT:

Permanently mark or engrave your boat, your trailer, all your equipment, electronics and personal items which you use regularly on your boat with your vessels hull identification number (HIN). Your boat of course, unless manufactured prior to 1972, will already have HIN on the transom. Permanently mark your phone number in a location that is not readily accessible or noticeable. The same should apply to the trailer. Perhaps mark/engrave your boat’s HIN and your phone number on the underside of the tongue or frame. As for your equipment, electronics and other items, use some method of permanently marking them as well. Consider a security marker only visible with a black light.

It is also a good idea to take a hull rubbing of your HIN. By using a sheet of thin paper and tape it over your HIN number on the transom. Using a soft leaded pencil, rub back and forth across the number lightly until in shows up clearly on the piece of paper.

RECORD IT:

Make a complete inventory of your boat, trailer and equipment. List all electronic gear, binoculars, out board engines, PFDs, fishing equipment etc. by brand, model, and serial numbers if available. Also record your boat by make, model, and HIN number. Be sure to record the license number of your trailer.

Keep this master inventory list at home and keep a copy for reference in a hidden place on your boat in case you find something missing.

PHOTOGRAPH OR FILM IT:

Take photos or a video of your boat, trailer and equipment from all angles. Keep copies at home in a safe place.

ARM IT/TRACK IT

Consider an alarm system or tracking device. Self‐contained systems are inexpensive and can be purchased at most marine stores. Be sure to choose a system specifically designed for boating use. The damp and constantly moving marine environment puts demands on the alarm/tracking 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, to include a smoke detector in your alarm system.

SECURE IT:

Boats 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 should be considered. Boats 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 boat and trailer in a locked garage, secured boat storage facility.
•  Keep the boat well inside your yard, preferably out of sight.
•  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. Especially if you plan to be off island.
•  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.
•  Use a high‐security chain and good quality lock to secure the trailer axle or to a fixed object.

STORE IT:

Obviously your best option is to remove all equipment from your boat and store it in a secure place. Consider removing the chip from your boat’s GPS. Ensure locking hatches and opening ports. If your boat doesn’t have them, or they are broken, these can be purchased at any marine store. When possible, valuable and easily removed items should be secured below deck in a locked compartment. Lockers should be equipped with nonremovable hasps and hinges and secured with padlocks. Lock outboard motors and fuel tanks to the boat. When your boat is left unattended, close the window curtains if you have them so people cannot “window shop.”

If your boat is kept in the water at a dock, consider chaining it to the dock. Also, get to know your neighbors on your canal.

INSURE IT:

Insurance is an important part of any theft protection plan. Unfortunately, it’s sometimes seen as a substitute for security precautions.

REPORT IT:

What should you do if you are a victim of marine theft? Immediately report your loss to the police, your insurance company and neighbors. When a loss occurs, the ability to positively identify property is crucial to its recovery and the prosecution of thieves and dealers in stolen goods. This is where photos and markings become extremely important.

By following the above recommendations you may reduce the risk of loss of your boat, trailer or equipment to theft.

Be cautious when buying a boat or running across a “good deal” on equipment.

If your boat is for sale, be mindful that not every interested person is a genuine buyer.

Inspector Leo Anglin

Joint Marine Commander

Royal Cayman Islands Police Service

Port Authority of the Cayman Islands Issues Statement on Abandoned and Derelict Vessels

The Port Authority of the Cayman Islands (PACI), in consultation with the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands (MACI) and the Department of Environment (DoE), is advising the public, in particular vessel owners of (a.) abandoned vessels, which are “wrecks” and have already sunk, and (b.) derelict vessels in imminent threat of sinking, in the waters of the Cayman Islands, that under the Public Health Law (2002 Revision), Section 7.(2)(v), these vessels are now considered a statutory public nuisance. Several of these vessel owners have been identified and will be served with an Abatement Notice to execute and complete the works necessary for that purpose, within a defined timeframe. This notice will be issued by The Chief Environmental Health Officer, and failure to comply with any of the requisitions of the notice within the time and date specified, may result in being found guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of five hundred dollars for each offence and to a further fine of fifty dollars for each day during which the offence is continued after the date specified in the notice.

In light of the derelict vessels already being scuttled, the public is reminded that disposing of a vessel by intentionally sinking it offshore requires a permit from DoE to ensure that toxic substances are removed and the location is approved.

Insurance cover is required for all vessels to cover against wreck removal expenses and third party liabilities under the Merchant Shipping Law.

HERE is a list of Vessel Safety Equipment required for inspection by the Port Authority.

The Port Authority would like to remind recreational boaters and fishermen to:

1. Always wear a life vest while boating. Accidents occur suddenly and you may not have the time or opportunity to retrieve one from storage. There must be one life vest for every person onboard the vessel.
2. Do not overload the vessel. Overloading will negatively impact the vessel’s freeboard and stability.
3. If going beyond the reef, ensure you have a working VHF radio, as cell phones signals diminish rapidly after 10 miles from shore on vessels that are low to the water.
   When boating beyond the reef, ensure you have a working GPS to enable you to always know your exact location.
4. Carry a working flashlight.
5. Carry some emergency flares with you.
6. Ensure you have enough fuel for the travel time and activity you intend to engage in.
7. Ensure you have a supply of emergency drinking water.
8. Always check the weather report for wind-speed and wave-height information to determine if it is safe for you to go boating.
9. Always let someone know when you are leaving, how long you intend to be gone for and what area you intend to be boating in. If going offshore, you can always call Port Security on VHF16 to advise of your plans.
10. At the first sign of difficulties, always notify someone or Port Security of your location and the nature of the difficulty.

The Port is currently doing some work on our email servers and cannot send or receive messages. We should be back up in one hour. Our apologies for the inconvenience.

Please make note of the change in working hours during the Easter Holidays. Click here for the complete schedule.

Due to equipment failure, the Port Authority’s Cayman Brac office is currently unable to receive calls or assist customers. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to have services restored shortly.

See what the Port Authority is all about in this short (2 minute) video. You can watch it HERE.

The Chairman and Members of the Board of the Port Authority of the Cayman Islands cordially invites the general public to attend the official un-veiling of a mural painted by local resident artist Tansy Maki Monday January 18th, 5pm at the entrance to the Royal Watler Cruise Terminal.