Saint Lucia - The Caribbean Safety and Security Net

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

2089 – Theft in Saint Lucia – Anse Canaries

Incident Date: 2016-12-16 at 23:00

Event Type: Theft

Stolen Items: 10′ Caribe dinghy, 9.8 HP Nissan outboard, fuel tank, etc.

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: A yacht anchored just north of the Canaries fishing village discovered their in-the-water but cable locked dinghy/outboard had been stolen overnight. The thieves apparently used a crow bar to pry the cable/lock eye attachment from the dingy transom. The theft was reported to the police and to Soufriere Marine Management Area (SMMA) officials.

December 16, 2016

2088 – Theft in Saint Lucia – Marigot – Inner Bay

Incident Date: 2016-12-04 at 17:00

Event Type: Theft

Stolen Items: 2 fishing rods

Secured: Not Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: After 2 nights moored in Marigot's inner bay on a Capella mooring, on the third day the crew went ashore for dinner. Between 4-7pm both fishing rods were stolen from the rod holders on either side of the cockpit. There was no evidence that the thief boarded the yacht. The marina office and police were advised. The victims and CSSN suggest removing all unsecured items of value from the deck/cockpit, and having a record of serial numbers/photos stored in a secure way/place (that cannot be stolen from the yacht) for purposes of investigation and proof of ownership should a theft occur. CSSN NOTE: This is the 2nd theft reported to CSSN within the last month at this location, and the 5th this year. Users can type "Marigot St Lucia" in the search box on any CSSN website page to get a quick summary/links, or utilize the islands reports tab (Northern Windwards) and sort on the location column for easily reviewed details.

December 4, 2016

2083 – Burglary in Saint Lucia – Marigot – Inner Bay

Incident Date: 2016-11-16 at 20:00

Event Type: Burglary

Stolen Items: Cash 3200 $ECD, 150 $CAN, Blackberry, Louis Vuitton belt

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: A yacht using a Capella marina mooring in the inner bay at Marigot was burgled while the crew was ashore for dinner. At least 6 other boats were on adjacent moorings but were not aware of the breakin (thru a hatch). The thieves took some effort to conceal their presence, including closing some cabin curtains while they stole cash ($3200 ECD, $150 CAN) a Blackberry and a belt. A report was made to the marina, the port captain and to the police.

November 16, 2016

2072 – Theft in Saint Lucia – Rodney Bay – Reduit Beach

Incident Date: 2016-10-01 at 01:00

Event Type: Theft

Stolen Items: dinghy and outboard, later returned missing the fuel tank and flip flops

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: An in the water, cable locked dinghy was stolen overnight while the owners slept. The cable and line were both cut in a rough way, likely with a hacksaw blade or serrated blade of some kind. The next morning the owners discovered the theft and talked with a fisherman ashore who advised them to make a police report and not to buy a new one, he would try and help locate the missing dinghy. A report was made to the police and on the VHF net. A few hours later some other fishermen arrived towing the “found” dinghy, now minus the fuel tank and flip flops. They asked for and received a $1000 EC reward.

October 1, 2016

2047 – Theft in Saint Lucia – Soufriere

Incident Date: 2016-07-04 at 10:00

Event Type: Theft

Stolen Items: Details unknown

Secured: Not Locked

Source Type: 2nd Hand Report

Incident Details: During daylight hours a yacht on a mooring was boarded thru a screened hatch while the crew was ashore. The details of what was stolen are not known, or if a police report was made.

July 4, 2016

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