In recent months, the Oakland-Alameda Estuary has become a hotbed of criminal activity, with boats being stolen, stripped down, and either sunk or abandoned. The Coast Guard, in collaboration with the Oakland police, has managed to apprehend a few suspected maritime burglars who were raiding houseboats and yachts in the San Francisco Bay. One suspect has already been charged with possession of stolen property, and investigators are working towards building a federal case against him.
Oakland police spokesperson Paul Chambers revealed that the thefts in the Oakland-Alameda Estuary are believed to be connected, with two individuals responsible for most of the crimes. According to Chambers, the rise in crime on the waterway can be attributed to a few new anchor-out persons who have recently acquired sailboats and anchored in the Oakland Estuary.
The impact of these crimes has been far-reaching, with a sailing school in Alameda on the verge of closure after half of their safety boats were stolen by these pirates. The owner of the school expressed their frustration and concern over the situation.
Detectives assigned to the case are actively reaching out to victims and local harbor masters to gather more information. They are urging anyone with relevant information to contact the Oakland Police Department Marine Unit.
The scale of the problem is significant, with the waterway being 800 feet wide and housing multiple marinas with around 3,000 boat slips. Residents have endured months of thefts by these so-called bay “pirates” who employ small boats to board larger ships and steal valuable items. Once they are done, they either sink the ships or discard the remaining parts miles away in the harbor or along the shorelines.
The Oakland Police Department acknowledged the increase in boat thefts and motor thefts, stating that it is a matter of concern. The exact number of incidents remains unknown, but all three agencies involved—the Coast Guard, Oakland police, and Alameda police—are working together to address the issue.
Alameda police Chief Nishant Joshi emphasized the need for a regional approach to protect the waterway, highlighting the absence of boundaries in the water as a challenge. The Coast Guard spokesperson echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the federal and state responsibility to safeguard the estuary.
To combat the escalating crime, the Oakland police have received a $166,000 grant from the California Department of Boating and Waterways. They are currently developing a 90-day cleanup project plan and aim to remove most of the abandoned and nuisance vessels from the Oakland Estuary by December.
The news of progress in addressing the issue comes after months of residents’ complaints, including personal confrontations with the criminals. During a municipal meeting in September, residents shared their harrowing experiences, urging officials to take action. Former harbor master Brock de Lappe expressed his frustration, stating that multiple vessels had been stolen and ransacked, and victims were forced to confront criminals without police support.
The situation has become dire, with boat owners resorting to desperate measures to protect their property. One resident recounted rescuing a man whose sailboat had drifted into the bay after the “pirates” cut his boat line during an argument.
The authorities are working diligently to tackle the piracy problem and bring peace to the Oakland-Alameda Estuary. However, the impact of these crimes on boat owners and the local community remains significant, and a long-term solution is needed to ensure the safety and security of the waterway.
