Saint Lucia - The Caribbean Safety and Security Net

2180 – Assault in Saint Lucia – Castries

Incident Date: 2017-12-28 at 10:30

Event Type: Assault

Stolen Items: gold chain

Secured: N/A

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: A captain and his wife were shopping at the vegetable open market in Castries, St Lucia , at 10:30 AM when one male, approximately 20 years of age, assaulted the captain by striking him from behind, pushed him to the ground and then ripped a gold chain from his neck. During the assault, the captain's wife attempted to intervene, and she was struck several times in the chest. Neither the captain nor his wife required medical attention.||The assailant escaped by running away from the market. The captain tried to chase the assailant, but was unable to catch him . The victim reported that during the assault, there were approximately 50 local residents who witnessed the assault, and nobody said or did anything to stop it, or assist them after the incident. A police report was made to local authorities.

December 28, 2017

2179 – Theft in Saint Lucia – Rodney Bay – Gros Islet

Incident Date: 2017-12-23 at 14:30

Event Type: Theft

Stolen Items: dinghy and outboard

Secured: Not Locked

Source Type: 2nd Hand Report

Incident Details: A yacht anchored approximately 100 meters off Gros Islet, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia, had the dinghy tied alongside during daylight hours. Two offenders, believed to be aged 6 and 10, swam from Gros Islet out to the boat where they untied the painter from the dinghy. They then swam back ashore with the dinghy and went up into the creek.

When the victim noticed the theft he alerted other cruisers via VHF and was taken in another yachts dinghy around the area to look for the stolen dinghy. In the creek locals said they saw two young people swimming up the creek with the dinghy. The dinghy was located further into the creek. The outboard had its lock smashed off and it had been removed from the dinghy.

Both the dinghy and outboard were recovered. A police report is believed to have been made by the victim. It is understood the witnesses were able to name the offenders involved.

December 23, 2017

2192 – Theft in Saint Lucia – Rodney Bay – Gros Islet

Incident Date: 2017-12-12 at 19:30

Event Type: Theft

Stolen Items: Pair of cargo shorts and a leather belt

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: Someone(s) pushed in two small windows’ screens on the port side and reached in and stole a pair of cargo shorts and a leather belt. They also boarded the monohull at the transom and destroyed a screen for a small opening hatch at the transom. They also went on deck and destroyed a lock latch in an attempt to open the large overhead hatch on the aft deck. The thief was not able to gain entry to the yacht. A report was made on the local VHF net.

December 12, 2017

2224 – Theft in Saint Lucia – Marigot – Inner Bay

Incident Date: 2017-10-29 at 01:30

Event Type: Theft

Stolen Items: cash

Secured: Not Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: A charter catamaran was assisted to a mooring 50 yards west of the Chateau MyGo dock. As instructed by their charter company, they concealed valuables on board before going to sleep. Sometime after 1:30AM they were boarded as they slept and $500 was taken from the unlocked yachts nav station. A police report was made. Later that evening while ashore for dinner, the yacht was boarded again and burgled. (See next report)

October 29, 2017

2225 – Burglary in Saint Lucia – Marigot – Inner Bay

Incident Date: 2017-10-29 at 17:00

Event Type: Burglary

Stolen Items: cash. watch, wedding ring

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: A charter catamaran on a mooring 50 yards west of Chateau MyGo dock was boarded for a second time (see prior report) that day. It had been well locked up after a prior incident before going ashore for dinner. The port bow hatch had been jimmied. Additional cash, a watch and a man's wedding ring were stolen. A police report had already been made, and these items were added to the original report/list. The police recovered $300 and the wedding ring 2 days later, which were returned to the owners 6 months later when a family member returned to St. Lucia. No charges were filed. At the conclusion of the charter a report was made to the Martinique charter company, which was described as "sympathetic yet not helpful."

October 29, 2017

2171 – Assault in Saint Lucia – Soufriere

Incident Date: 2017-10-25 at 01:30

Event Type: Assault

Stolen Items: Cash and mobile phones, dinghy

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: Guests onboard a chartered catamaran on an SMMA mooring in Soufriere, St. Lucia, were awakened at 0130 am when they were boarded by 4 men. 2 of the men were armed with guns, and 1 with a knife, all had their faces concealed. ||Three of the men damaged a deck hatch to break into the locked yacht while the fourth cut the davit lines on the dinghy during this violent boarding. There were 6 members in the charter group, 2 families each with a teenage daughter. The women and children quickly locked themselves inside a cabin. There were many threats and a short struggle. One victim was hit in the face with a gun, the other hit on the head. The boarders demanded cash, cellphones and passports. The cash and cellphones were surrendered readily and the passports and access to the locked cabin refused. After 20 terrifying minutes of further threats of violence and death the 4 men left with the dinghy. ||Reports were made to the charter base and police. The police took NO forensic evidence and told the victims and the charter company that they did "not want any media involved as it might scare tourists". The charter company has assisted the victims with communications and arranged for a local media outlet to film an interview, which has not been broadcast. The dinghy was abandoned ashore and later recovered. ||The police have since asked for some details about the stolen cellphones by email, but have not informed the victims of any arrests in this matter. The victims describe this as a "violent, aggressive and prolonged attack that left their families traumatized" and point out that at no point during the charter briefing were they informed of any "no go" or problem areas. They were advised to use the cable and lock provided to secure the dinghy when ashore. ||CSSN NOTE: As a matter of policy CSSN will publish updates if police confirm to the victims that there has been significant progress in this matter.

October 25, 2017

2119 – Theft in Saint Lucia – Soufriere

Incident Date: 2017-03-12 at 23:00

Event Type: Theft

Stolen Items: phones, computers, money

Secured: Not Locked

Source Type: 2nd Hand Report

Incident Details: Thieves entered an unlocked yacht while crew was ashore for the evening. Cash, cellphones and computers were taken. A report was made to the police.

March 12, 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

Tag: Saint Lucia Archives