Good news for boaters and water sport enthusiasts: Watercraft thefts dropped 9 percent last year versus 2010. According to a newly released report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), 6,070 watercraft thefts were reported in 2011.

Virginia ranks in the middle of the pack for overall thefts, of the 50 states and District of Columbia included in the statistics. Virginia reported 79 thefts in 2011. Not surprisingly, perhaps, Florida led the states with the most thefts. Virginia’s recovery rate of 39% is also about average for all thefts nationwide.

The top watercraft targeted by thieves? Jet skis, which account for 1,219 thefts—about 20 percent. Runabouts are next on the list with 992, followed by utility boats at 437. The recovery rate for each, in order, is 35 percent, 47 percent, and 34 percent. Interestingly, most theft recoveries of all watercrafts occur within 2 days. After that, the likelihood for recovery declines.

Friday is the most popular day for watercraft theft. And June is the most popular month.

To help keep your own watercraft safe, NICB offers these tips:

• Always lock your watercraft when docked, and secure it to the dock with a steel cable
• Disable your watercraft by shutting fuel lines or removing batteries
• Use a trailer hitch lock after parking your watercraft on its trailer