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Elsewhere on the Web • Fredsplace.org

CHIP TRICK
From the land of 007 comes a sneaky high-tech device that could put boat thieves out of business and behind bars.

Between 10 and 20 recreational boats are stolen every day in Britain. But now the country is trying out a new weapon against theft: a silicon microchip that permanently identifies a boat’s owner and helps authorities nab crooks.

Developed jointly by the British Marine Industries Federation (BMIF) and Equifax HPI, the Boatmark antitheft system starts with a tiny microchip that is programmed with your boat’s 10-digit Hull Identification Number and is embedded in a secret place within the hull. Your name and vessel are then registered in a national database, which police can use to check the ownership of any boat suspected of being stolen or to launch a search for a boat that has been reported missing.

"This tagging scheme can only benefit the marine industry's continuing fight against boat theft," says Howard Pridding, chief executive of the BMIF.

Backed by the British government, the new Boatmark program has already garnered the support of the country’s largest marine insurance companies and other organizations like the Royal Yachting Association.

Every vessel registered with the Boatmark system is tagged not only with a microchip, but also with a unique number marked on the hull and in other concealed locations to deter criminals.

Although visible identification numbers are vulnerable to tampering and removal, the microchips make it impossible for thieves to strip away your boat’s identity.

ONLINE: www.fredsplace.org
Dedicated to Coasties everywhere, Fred’s Place is the location to meet old shipmates on the Internet. Sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, the site invites all Coasties–retired, reserve, auxiliary, veterans, SPARS, civilian coworkers, and friends and family–to log on and reconnect with lost pals. You can post announcements, search bulletin boards for local activities, or browse the latest scuttlebutt on agency issues. The site also offers discussion boards, an online reunion hall and e-mail directory, and an electronic photo album where you can post your own favorite shots. With tons of information packaged in an easy-to-access format, Fredsplace.org can help you reconnect with someone from your past.

ON SHELVES: CHARTING CULINARY COURSES
Tired of bland, quick-fix meals when you’re out on the hook? Yacht chef Dirk de Cuyper of the Feadship Cakewalk has some delicious new cuisine options for both day trips and overnight cruises. Charting Culinary Courses mixes creative recipes, mouth-watering photography, and step-by-step instructions to help you turn your underused galley into a fine-dining prep center. The Brussels-born chef offers 50 wonderful recipes ranging from healthy soups and rustic focaccia to elegant ribbon pasta and salmon-and-spinach lasagna. You can also add some great desserts to your repertoire, including fresh figs with homemade ice cream and white chocolate ganache.

$24.95, hardcover. A.B. Hirschfeld Press

AUGUST EVENTS
3-5. The Jacksonville Fall Boat Show in Jacksonville, Florida. Phone: (904) 724-3003.

3-5. The Hot Summer Boat Show in Orlando, Florida. Phone: (407) 872-7799.

8-12. The Centre of Power Boat Show in Orillia, Ontario, Canada. Phone: (705) 326-4424.

16-19. The 15th annual Racine In-Water Boat Show in Racine, Wisconsin. Phone: (312) 946-6262.

23-26. The Michigan City In-Water Boat Show in Michigan City, Indiana. Phone: (440) 899-5009.

23-28. The Brisbane Boat Show in Brisbane, Australia. Phone: (61) 7-3899-3333.

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