Boats being "sabotaged" on SA coast

Boat owners in South Australia are concerned for their safety after a number of boats were reportedly tampered with.

Boat owners say since the beginning of summer almost a dozen trailers have been sabotaged in broad daylight in boat ramp carparks along the coast near Adelaide.

"It happened to me at West Beach two days ago they'd released the hitch and also taken the safety chain off," said Mat, a local boat owner.

Trailers at North Haven were targeted too and there are growing concerns it's only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.

"It's getting out of control now," said boat owner Andrew Mazzino.

"If the chains are not connected securely then that trailer will just come straight off and you're going at 60-70 kilometres per hour. There's no stopping it."

Fishermen are calling on those responsible to consider the consequences.

"I don't think they really know what's at stake here," said Mr Mazzino.

The advice to those who are concerned about their trailers is to take steps to protect yourself and to remain vigilant.

Boat owners are now calling for security cameras to be installed in the carparks to deter potentially deadly behaviour.