cssn - The Caribbean Safety and Security Net

2116 – Vandalism in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Bequia – Admiralty Bay (Port Elizabeth)

Incident Date: 2017-02-20 at 22:30

Event Type: Vandalism

Stolen Items: Dinghy engine damaged

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: A yacht moored in Admiralty Bay took their dinghy to a nearby small (restaurant) dock for dinner. A man greeted them and tied the dinghy to the dock. When the owners proceeded to lock the dinghy he became upset and yelled "Bequia is not the United States, people do not lock things here". They locked the dinghy and the man continued to yell as they went to the restaurant. When they returned after dinner the outboard would not start. The next morning a close inspection revealed that the spark plug wire had been cut. A report was made to the police.

February 20, 2017

2112 – Burglary in Saint Lucia – Marigot – Inner Bay

Incident Date: 2017-02-17 at 21:00

Event Type: Burglary

Stolen Items: all cell phones and chargers onboard.

Secured: Not Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: While ashore in the evening, a yacht on an outside mooring was entered, and thoroughly ransacked. All doors and hatches were closed, but a guest failed to properly engage a lock on one cabin hatch, which the thief discovered and used for enrty/exit. The vendor who rented the mooring had warned the crew of the problems in this bay and suggested taking all cash/passports/valuables with them to dinner. The phones and chargers left behind were taken. Nearby boats were occupied, but not aware of the boarding/burglary.

February 17, 2017

2113 – Theft in Saint Lucia – Marigot – Inner Bay

Incident Date: 2017-02-16 at 00:00

Event Type: Theft

Stolen Items: 2 fishing rods

Secured: Not Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: Two fishing rods which were well secured to the boat (lines visibly cut) were stolen overnight while the crew slept. A report was made to the port captain and the police (photos of the fishing gear were provided).

February 16, 2017

2109 – Burglary in Saint Lucia – Soufriere – Bat Caves

Incident Date: 2017-02-13 at 11:30

Event Type: Burglary

Stolen Items: Cash, computers, camera, electronics

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: Around noon while the crew was ashore their yacht was broken into. The thieves were unable to gain entry through the well secured door, but were able to use a knife (which they left behind) to defeat a hatch lock. They took cash and electronics. 3 of the 4 moorings at the Bat Caves were occupied at the time. A report was made to the SMMA marine park, who refunded the daily mooring fee and advised against leaving boats unoccupied at night. CSSN NOTE: Nighttime burglaries have been a problem at this location for several years. Given that the local thieves have grown significantly bolder, if you choose to visit, consider leaving someone on board at all times.

February 13, 2017

2108 – Assault in Dominican Republic – Boca Chica

Incident Date: 2017-02-12 at 03:00

Event Type: Assault

Stolen Items: cash, cell phone, wristwatch and a bottle of rum

Secured: Not Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: At approximately 0300 HRS the crew of a yacht on a Marina Zar Par mooring was awakened by a masked intruder, who had entered the unlocked yacht while they slept. He spoke Spanish (which the crew did not understand), threatening to tie the crew up. He displayed a knife but did not harm them while he searched – taking cash, a watch, a cellphone and a bottle of rum. He departed in an unpowered boat. The crew reported the incident to the marina security staff later that morning, and also made a report to the police and port captain. They were informed this was the 3rd incident of this type at this location this year. CSSN NOTE: CSSN has received firsthand reports for 2 of the 3 assaults, but no details about this third incident. If you are, or know those victims, please encourage them to make an easy online report, using this LINK.

February 12, 2017

2107 – Theft in Saint Martin (France) – Marigot Bay

Incident Date: 2017-02-08 at 18:00

Event Type: Theft

Stolen Items: 10 ft hardbottom dinghy, fuel tank and 15HP Suzuki outboard

Secured: Unknown

Source Type: 2nd Hand Report

Incident Details: Dinghy/outboard stolen from the Marigot ferry dock, reported on the VHF net. Not known if locked, no further details available

February 8, 2017

2114 – Theft in Grenada – Grenada – Prickly Bay

Incident Date: 2017-02-01 at 12:00

Event Type: Theft

Stolen Items: Folding propeller

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: A catamaran on a Prickly Bay Marina mooring discovered one of its two folding Kiwi props was missing after powering up and preparing to move. Divers conducted an immediate and very thorough search, and the prop was not found on the hard packed sandy bottom. The shaft was clean where the prop had been. Reported to the marina, who after the divers report agreed it had been stolen.

February 1, 2017

2103 – Theft in Panama – San Blas – Nargana

Incident Date: 2017-01-28 at 02:00

Event Type: Theft

Stolen Items: wallet and cellphones

Secured: Not Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: While the crew slept, thieves entered an unlocked catamaran anchored overnight SW of Nargana. The thieves took a wallet and cellphones from the salon chart table, leaving 2 sets of muddy footprints behind. A report was made to local officials and also to Chris Parker’s weather net. CSSN wishes to thank the victims and Chris for confirming details from this remote area via HF radio.

January 28, 2017

2102 – Theft in Puerto Rico (US) – Vieques – Esperanza

Incident Date: 2017-01-27 at 20:00

Event Type: Theft

Stolen Items: Dinghy/outboard, dinghy minus outboard later recovered

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: At approximately 8 PM cruisers returned to the dinghy dock on the old pier in Esperanza, and discovered their dinghy/outboard had been stolen. The dinghy was chained to the dock with 3/8" stainless steel chain and locked with a case-hardened lock, the outboard engine was similarly chained and locked to the dinghy. ||The dinghy minus the outboard was found just off the beach to the east of the dock with both chains and one of the locks cut with a bolt cutter. A police report was made and victims were informed by the local police that this was the 4th motor theft this week. ||The owners indicate the police took little interest in assessing the situation – writing down little, looking at the dinghy or the area where it was left and they took no photos. The owners believe that well prepared theives with large bolt cutters are actively operating in the area and advise extra precautions.

January 27, 2017

2104 – Assault in Dominican Republic – Boca Chica

Incident Date: 2017-01-25 at 01:00

Event Type: Assault

Stolen Items: cash and jewelry

Secured: Not Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: Owners of a yacht berthed on the outside dock at Marina Zar Par awakened to a masked intruder at their bedside. He spoke only Spanish (which they understood) smelled of alcohol and was dripping wet. He had gained entry thru the unlocked companionway.|| A brief struggle ensued, he demanded cash and jewelry, which was freely given. The intruder tied both crew up holding a knife to the woman's neck. He held his hand roughly against her mouth to silence her causing minor injuries, which were later treated by a doctor. After he departed, the crew managed to untie themselves and reported to the Zar Par Marina Security office. ||The security team provided immediate assistance by calling the police, who arrived promptly, and in gaining medical treatment for the woman. A formal report was also made to the Coast Guard the next day, and the police are investigating.||CSSN wishes to thank our information sharing partner, Noonsite, where the victim's detailed account was first published, read it HERE .

January 25, 2017

Author: cssn Archives