St Kilda Boat Sales - Warnings about 'stolen' vessels from USA
7 November 2010
Warnings about 'stolen' vessels from USA
CONSUMERS and boat dealers are being warned about buying boats from overseas following a report from the US that stolen boats are being shipped into the local market.
An article published on tampabay.com, the website of the Florida-based St Petersburg Times newspaper, revealed that the owner of a boat and yacht brokerage company and another man were recently arrested on grand theft charges after US authorities said they sold stolen boats overseas.
The website reported that "Mark A. Conner, 38, of Treasure Island was arrested … on charges of scheme to defraud and four counts of grand theft … Lawrence P. Plumstead, 44, of Seminole was arrested on three counts of grand theft."
Conner, the owner of a boat dealership known as Suncoast Marine, "stiffed" customers on the sale of three boats, the report said. "Deputies said Conner accepted the boats on consignment, with the agreement that he would take a commission on sales. However, he never paid the owners or the lending company.
"(Deputies) began surveilling Conner, and saw him and Plumstead shrink-wrapping a stolen Scout model boat for shipment to Australia."
Police arrested the pair and found four more stolen boats and trailers. The vessels, all between 21 and 25 feet, were a Boston Whaler, a Pro Line centre console, a Century centre console and a Century walk-around.
Marine industry stalwart John Temple, GM of Melbourne-based Mercury Marine, said consumers faced being burnt if they took advantage of "boats that sound too good to be true".
"We have suspected for some time that the prices of many of the boats coming in from the US have been too good to be true, particularly with some Sea Ray, Boston Whalers and Bayliner models. We know the prices and value (of these boats) as they are part of our global business," Temple said.
Consumers and possibly some dealers could be liable for finance costs if they unwittingly acquired a stolen US boat, Temple warned.
"There could be a lot of people burnt by this. Finance companies and other financiers (will) want their money if (any stolen) boat (purchased in Australia) is under terms of payment," Temple said.
Marine Business understands that many US boats are financed as taxation laws allow the owner to claim interest and other expenses.
The strong Aussie dollar is making imported boats, especially US boats, appealing to some sections of the local boating market. The situation has been inflamed via DIY articles published by niche segments of the boating media detailing how to buy and important US boats and engines.
The news that some US boat imports could well be stolen lends weight to moves by local engine distributors and boat building operations to urge consumers to carefully consider the risks of buying a boat from overseas.
Have you encountered problems with boats imported from the US? Do you think regulations on consumers importing marine product are too lax? Or do you think the local industry should adapt more to working within a "global economy"?
Story reprinted with permission from Marine Business News. Go to: http://www.marinebusiness.com.au/news/warnings-about-stolen-us-boats-hitting-local-market