03-01-2004, 10:21 PM
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][#000000][size 2]WEST PALM BEACH, FL—According to new statistics from the International Association of Marine Investigators (IAMI), Florida leads the nation in reported boat and outboard motor thefts. [/size][/#000000][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][#000000][size 2]The Florida Fish and Game Commission says the state's high number of marine thefts can be attributed to black market demand in South America and the Caribbean, and the use of stolen boats in smuggling drugs and illegal immigrants. [/size][/#000000][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][#000000][size 2]Florida currently does not require boat owners to register outboards. Possession of an outboard without a serial number is a third-degree felony, but prosecutors must first prove the buyer knew the serial number was missing.[/size][/#000000][/font]
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[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][#000000][size 2]The Florida Fish and Game Commission says the state's high number of marine thefts can be attributed to black market demand in South America and the Caribbean, and the use of stolen boats in smuggling drugs and illegal immigrants. [/size][/#000000][/font]
[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][#000000][size 2]Florida currently does not require boat owners to register outboards. Possession of an outboard without a serial number is a third-degree felony, but prosecutors must first prove the buyer knew the serial number was missing.[/size][/#000000][/font]
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