Click for Cross Click for Nordhavn Click for Northern Lights Click for Ocean Alexander Click for Westport

Yacht Thief...

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by YachtForums, May 7, 2025 at 8:43 AM.

  1. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
    Messages:
    20,667
    Location:
    South Florida
    A Russian national attempted to steal a 68-foot vessel from Blowing Rocks Marina in Tequesta, Florida...

    https://www.wptv.com/news/treasure-.../stolen-yacht/nikolai-vilkov-russian-arrested

    WPTV reports the yacht sustained a significant amount of damage after it was shoved aground by deputies doing the waterborne equivalent of a "pit maneuver" using 3 RIB patrol boats.

    I'll defer to the captains on YF for this, but I wonder why deputies didn't simply board the boat while it was underway, secure the suspect and throttle back?

    Attached Files:

  2. Kevin

    Kevin YF Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2004
    Messages:
    3,091
    Location:
    Montreal, Qc, Canada
    I can't help but wonder... what was on that boat that made a Russian steal it?
  3. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2012
    Messages:
    1,547
    Location:
    Ketchikan, Alaska
  4. chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2009
    Messages:
    1,844
    Location:
    Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay & S.Jersey
    Vodka
  5. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    13,676
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Naw, cheap deportation.
    He did not realize the last self deport plan; Free return plus $1k cash.
    Dumb Ruski..
  6. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,657
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    I just don’t understand why they used 3 ribs to shove the boat aground. They could have just pulled along side and boarded then disable the thief.

    as to deportations, probably much cheaper to pay them $1K then catch, process and deport.
  7. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    13,676
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Your going to jump on a boat in the open, thin cover; with no idea who, how many, how well armed and where the bad guy(s) are?
    These law guys want to go home and pop a beer with no new holes in them.

    I would of used a bazooka myself and not gotten close to an unknown peril.
    f3504x4ps likes this.
  8. f3504x4ps

    f3504x4ps Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2012
    Messages:
    168
    Location:
    Cape Canaveral, FL

    Too funny, but you’re right, why take a chance getting shot at.