Datatag security tag system

MikeCC · 24 October 2006, 20:15

Does anyone use this system www.datatag.co.uk for their boat or other equipment?

[If you've not come across it, to save you looking, it's a micro ID tag device that you register on a police-accessible database. When scanned, the tag can be read and matched to its rightful owner. It's not a tracking device of any sort]

If you were going to pinch someone's boat, would it be a good deterrent if you saw the warning sticker?

Basic setup for a couple of microtransponders, labels and stickers is £30. Does that seem reasonable? Guess you'd probably want two kits to cover boat, engine & trailer + something else.

Mike

Brambles · 24 October 2006, 20:25

Mike,

This system has been used on motorcycles for a number of years.

A mate has done his Sea Doo sportster recently, I guess he'll only know how effective it is if the boat gets stolen & recovered. On the other hand if the boat doesn't get knicked, it could be due to the Datatag warnings

Either way I think it's money well spent.

Cheers.

Ian

G L · 25 October 2006, 11:36

I been using this sytem on my bike, but it needs the police to check, often at we used bike spots they will scan the bike at the car park and check for stolen bikes/parts, but I don't think the police would ever scan boats. It might help prove that its your boat.

kwil · 25 October 2006, 11:56

I use datatag on my boat. It comes in a small container of paint like stuff that contains microdots which you just paint onto equipment. I have painted small areas on all my equipment and engine parts, so that if anything is stolen or dismantled for parts there should still be traces to trap the culprit.

Nos4r2 · 25 October 2006, 15:20

Datatag and Microdots are a bloody good idea. My boat is Alphadot secured (check alphadot.co.uk for what they are).

Basically, the police rarely check at the slipway. But they DO check (I think all forces have transponders) everything they suspect is stolen if they catch someone.
You stand a much better chance of getting it back-or it not being stolen in the 1st place as the thief can't say it's his when there's concrete evidence that it's not.

As a deterrent it's extremely effective as long as the stickers are immediately obvious (on the towhitch is a good place!)

I would put tags in through the valves so it'd need a retube to be sold... and then tag the engine and hull too. You'd be surprised how far a kit goes.

IBWET · 25 October 2006, 15:23

I had the boat manufacturer build the hull with the Datatag transponders scattered in the gelcoat. To remove the unique numbers the transponders give, would mean the distruction of the hull.,these are logged on a nationally accessible police/customs database, along with all the owners details.

the police can check at the side of the road (or recovered boats) read the hull with a scanner,(which all forces are equiped with) access the 24/7 database and confirm the reported theft details and rightfull owner,(or have all the details to compile a case).

Only one all the police use.

Infrastuctures in bermuda,france Holland Italy and one or two others so even if your boat goes abroad, you've still got a chance,this make it unique.

Nos4r2 · 25 October 2006, 15:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by IBWET

I had the boat manufacturer build the hull with the Datatag transponders scattered in the gelcoat.

What a bloody good idea!

IBWET · 25 October 2006, 15:38

I have heard that the police are planning to arrive at slips unannounced and check boats with datatag scanners going in the water, apparently this has already happened down south checking mainly for Jet ski's being stolen.

On the way to loch lomond public slip last year there was a police stop checking all boats going in...The Park rangers on the water are also equiped with scanners. We were checked twice last year while out on the water.

Nos4r2 · 25 October 2006, 15:42

Good to hear. Anything like that that stops these scum would be welcome.

IBWET · 25 October 2006, 15:49

Manufacturers should drop the transponders into the gelcoat for all new boats,then the scrotes would not be able to get rid of the true owners identity, it would be impossible. how big would the stolen boat market be then? ..

If you were a scumbag you would'nt even want it in your yard let alone buy it....so if the nobends that steal boats can't sell them, why would they steal them...

MikeCC · 25 October 2006, 20:08

Thanks for all the replies - looks pretty positive.

I like the tube and gelcoat ideas!