The very helpful international web site for cruisers ‘Noonsite’ , the more specific Caribbean Safety and Security Net (CSSN) and the Caribbean Security Index (CSI) carry advice and catalogue incidents involving cruising yachts.
I guess if you read reports of crime from around the world, you would not travel and the cruising fraternity, with the advent of the internet, are very good at reporting incidents. So it was that, convinced by Simon and Jenny on Fenicia, whom I met in Albufeira on the Algarve, I decided to design and source substantial security bars for the two main hatches so that they could be left open with no fear of unwelcome visitors. It was important that the bars would occupy a minimum of space when not in use and the design allows for them to be compressed and the ends which secure the bars within the hatch aperture, swivel to reduce the depth required.
The padlock is one of the ‘keyed alike’ padlocks used on board and we take care to keep a key close to the bars so that they can be readily removed should a rapid evacuation be required.
We used the bars extensively throughout the Caribbean, both day and night and although they proved unnecessary, we all slept better (and cooler) for them being in place.
Good design and good to know.
I just had a look at it and I think that I will have our machinist turn up threaded sockets that I can drill into the frame below the hatch and above the screen so that I can install a few round bars athwartships and one fore and aft to reinforce and lock the others.
I don’t have to think about that till next year so plenty of time.