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20 January 2010 - Update on December Piracy Incident Trinidad/Grenada
In view of the recent robbery and assault of the yacht enroute from Trinidad to Grenada (details of which are on the Southern Windwards link from ISLAND REPORTS), and the various reports of similar incidents in the same area and in Venezuelan waters over the past several years, there are some very specific precautions which cruisers can take to avoid or minimize attempts against them. Full details of the incident as well as plans from the coast guards of Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as MAYAG and YSATT to minimize future incidents can be found at www.grenadabroadcast.com/content/view/7005/45/ <http://www.grenadabroadcast.com/content/view/7005/45/> .
The Trinidad Coast Guard advises that pirogues are active from the south coast of Grenada and moving out to the north and east of Tobago to move marijuana to Toco at the northeast corner of Trinidad. The pirogues are active around the gas drilling rigs as these are used as landmarks for boats without navigation equipment. However, the pirogues range all over the area, from the north coast of Venezuela to Tobago and to the south coast of Grenada.
Efforts to interdict drugs are underway in this area and cruisers should be aware of the potential for running into smugglers and / or authorities who may mistake their innocent activities for something criminal. The area off the northeast coast of Trinidad is patrolled for fisheries protection and drug interdiction activities. These patrol vessels are often unmarked and the crew may not be in uniform, so it is difficult for the cruiser to determine their intentions.
Please bear in mind that there has been only one incident reported on the Trinidad/Grenada route, although there have been four additional reports of attempts (unsuccessful) in the past two years. In view of the large numbers of yachts which make this passage each year, the chances of a piracy attempt are very small but those who do sail this route should take every possible precaution. There are two gas drilling platforms in the area: Hibiscus at 11-08.8N 61.39.0W and Poinsettia at 11-13.9N 61-31.4W. Both monitor VHF 16 and have, in the past relayed calls to the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard.
These tips are taken from notes from cruisers and from the precautions page on this website and in some cases, the suggestions are in contradiction with each other: each vessel should make individual choices.
1.Think about a response plan before it is needed, with the emphasis on scaring away intruders (and this is certainly appropriate for yachts at anchor as well as those underway). THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PREPARATION A CRUISER CAN MAKE. Think about evasive maneuvers, first aid kit for possible injuries, response to fire aboard (e.g. gas cans hit by gunfire), where is the crew to shelter, can / should any further resistance to boarding be made (flare guns, sprays, etc.), how to initiate a distress call, use of lights and flares, and communication with other vessels and/or law enforcement authorities.
2.Consider traveling in a group, maintaining VHF or SSB contact on a regular schedule throughout the trip. Use a VHF channel other than 16 for group check-ins, but monitor both that channel and channel 16.
3.Since all the reports of boardings and attempted boardings have occurred during the day, travel at night. Some have suggested that you travel with no lights; however, that has its own inherent dangers. Your RADAR is of little use to detect these pirogues as they are usually wooden boats and will not show up on RADAR.
4.Sail as far east of the rhum line as possible, away from the locations of the previous reports, although that route means there are fewer other vessels to come to your aid if you need help.
5.Don’t discuss your departure plans (time and destination) with strangers on shore. Don’t describe your yacht to strangers: current location, name, number of people on board, whether or not you are armed.
6.The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard is suggesting that all vessels leaving from Trinidad file a float plan by phone with them: hull description, flag, crew, destination, estimated time of departure and estimated time of arrival. It is not clear what the follow-up will be. If you do file a float plan, be sure to notify the Coast Guard of your safe arrival.
7.Separate and hide valuables in multiple unpredictable areas on board, including passports and boat papers. Hide a copy of passports and boat papers in a different spot. If possible, hide a spare GPS and handheld VHF radio. Maintain a list of serial numbers of all equipment, keep it up to date when you add new equipment, and hide a copy of that list.
8.Make two copies of the contents of all wallets: credit cards (both sides), licenses, etc. Send one copy to a contact and home and hide one copy along with the copy of the passports. Be sure to have telephone numbers for the credit card companies to report a loss from abroad.
9.Check the Caribbean Safety and Security Net website regularly, both for additional security tips as well as reports of piracy or attempted piracy against other yachts, and learn lessons from how others have handled a piracy situation.
10.If your yacht is approached by a suspicious vessel, immediately activate DSC on your VHF and begin transmitting on VHF 16 and SSB 2182 that you feel you are in danger. Call out your yacht name and your location repeatedly until you get a response. If you are traveling in a group, one of those yachts will hear you, and if you are traveling alone, it is possible that another vessel in the area will hear you and come to assist. If you have DSC activated, that signal will extend a great distance.
11.Always remember, neither your yacht nor your possessions are worth serious injuries or worse. But you must consider that anyone willing to randomly fire at your vessel may not leave you unharmed if they are allowed to board. You must consider how and whether, and be prepared, to provide resistance to boarders as you determine to be appropriate.
The Caribbean Safety and Security Net welcomes additional suggestions: e-mail to svsecondm@aol.com <mailto:svsecondm@aol.com> or use the CONTACT US page on this website.
17 December 2009 - “Yacht crimes crippling SVG Tourism” from the Vincentian (reprint)
“The yacht charter industry in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is reeling under pressure from wanton burglary, break-ins and stealing from yachts, moored at the various harbours in the state.
The yacht charter companies are concerned that, despite repeated reports of the incidence of theft, the perpetrators are hardly ever apprehended, much less taken to court. The companies also cite as both ironic and disturbing that many of the crimes are perpetuated in the Ratho Mill area, which is in close proximity to the Calliaqua Police Station and the Coast Guard Base.
Incidents of crime
Around 8 October, Planned Outage, a Beneteau 50 yacht, was anchored off Princess Margaret Beach in Bequia. The guests went ashore for dinner, only to return to their yacht to find it had been broken into. Stolen were a computer, camera, cell phone and about US$1,500 in cash. A police report was made in Bequia but to date, the victims of the crime have heard nothing.
Since that incident, there have been twelve other reported cases of burglary or attempted armed robbery of yachts up to 6 December. The attempted armed robbery on 6 December failed; the perpetrator was apprehended by the captain and guests when he made his attempt on their yacht moored at Salt Whistle Bay, Mayreau.
Making known the situation
The situation in SVG has evoked so much concern that one yacht charter in St. Lucia is advising yachts to bypass SVG.
Ironically, one writer, Warren East, who had written glowingly about SVG in the magazine ‘Yacht Essentials’, stating that St. Vincent and the Grenadines was “having a bad rap”, had to swallow a bitter pill when his yacht was broken into a few days after the Constitution referendum here. He lost, among other things, a computer on which he had ‘saved’ a book he was working on over three years.
John West of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Recreational Marine Association (SVGRMA) sent an e-mail dated 7 December 2009 to Tourism Minister Glen Beache. In it, he tabulated a summary of incidents of crime against yachts.
The letter also included: “The Moorings St. Lucia are instructing all of their yachts to bypass St. Vincent until further notice, as many other yacht charter operators north of us already do. It is quite evident that yacht crime is rampant and is doing untold harm to what is without doubt the single most important part of our tourism product.”
West told THE VINCENTIAN in a telephone conversation on Wednesday, that he received a telephone call from the Minister in response to the e-mail, during which the Minister said he would take up the matter with the relevant authorities.
He said the Minister later informed him that he had met with security officials, including the Coast Guard, to discuss the vexing issue, and while there was limited resources, plans were being put in place to upgrade surveillance.
West said that he also received information from Faylene Findlay-Scrubb of the Tourism Ministry that the Ministry of National Security had met with senior public servants and officers of the National Parks to map out a preventative surveillance and interdiction action plan. While a number of suggestions made at the meeting were matters of national security and therefore not for public release, he was informed that consideration was being given to using two customs vessels to provide patrol service.
Yacht fees
Meanwhile, a charter operator has pointed to a $100 fee that each yacht pays upon entering the country. The tax is supposed to go towards providing patrol security for yachts in the country.
According to the operator, their business has collected $34,985 for the eleven months of this year and has turned that sum over to the government.
According to the operator, it does not need elaborate equipment to provide patrol surveillance; one dinghy and outboard engine would cost $11,000 and the government could purchase a few of those to provide patrol at nights.”
Meanwhile, two reports received by the Caribbean Safety and Security Net in November and December made mention of the increase in incidents, citing specifically Young Island Cut, Bequia and Mayreau. It is likely that most of these incidents happened to charter boats which is why few of these have been reported here. One report also indicted that the water taxis have lost outboards as well as visiting yachts.
4 December 2009 - Cartagena Security Concerns
Following on the 2 December armed robbery of a yacht entering Cartagena via the Boca Chica channel, the Colombian Coast Guard is advising visiting yachts to use the Boca Grande channel. Previously, the Boca Chica channel was the preference.
The whole harbor is marked with big red and green U.S. Style buoys, most of which are lit. The entrance to Boca Grande also has big red and green buoys marking the channel entrance. The depth may be the issue here if the yacht draws more than 10 feet. There is an underwater wall on either side of this entrance which boaters need to be aware of. People have hit the wall when not following the well-marked channel and going between the red and green marker. Once inside those two markers, it is a short trip to the anchorage with the Coast Guard and their patrol boats nearby.
IN addition, there have been a number of thefts of dinghies and outboards, both in Cartagena itself and in the nearby Rosarios Islands. Yachts visiting the area should always lock the dinghy to the mother ship and make every effort to life the dinghy out of the water on davits or a halyard.
21 November 2009 - Security Concerns: Trinidad and St. Vincent
The SOUTHERN WINDWARDS page includes a report from Young Island Cut on the south coast of St. Vincent. The description makes mention of two additional incidents which were reported that night and which the Coast Guard told our victim boat about when they came to take a report. No further details are available but yachts should note that not every incident of crime against yachts is reported to the Caribbean Safety and Security Net and that just because there are no reports listed for a particular anchorage means there are no incidents. Another listener reported that there had been, during the month of November, a spate of dinghy and outboard thefts in Chaguaramas, Trinidad: no further details available here either but worthy of a heads-up to those heading to Chaguaramas.
20 November 2009 - Dominica: New PAYS Boat Press Release
“Portsmouth Association of Yacht Services and Security (P.A.Y.S.) would like to remind all yachts visiting Dominica to moor or anchor in the North end of Prince Rupert Bay (between Blue Bay Restaurant and Purple Turtle) where security patrols are conducted nightly. Although we recognize that some visitors prefer the seclusion of the south end, current economic conditions does not permit our group to patrol the whole bay and although Dominica is one of the safest countries in the Caribbean, we can not assure your safety in this area.
Portsmouth Association of Yacht Security (P.A.Y.S.) is a registered non-profit association, established in 2007 and includes 17 members from the yacht tourism sector in Portsmouth including tour guides, yacht service companies, restaurants and dive centres in the community. Funding for the night security is provided by:
§Membership Fees
§Donations
§Fees from Yacht Moorings in Prince Rupert Bay.
§Fund Raising Beach BBQ’s and other fun activities
All services are provided by members on a voluntary basis to ensure all proceeds are dedicated to ensuring your security and to help further develop the yachting sector in Dominica.
Please help support our Program by Using PAYS members for your yacht services when coming to Dominica and joining in our fun events.
If anyone has any questions regards security in Prince Rupert Bay, please feel free to contact either Jeff Frank (President of PAYS - tel 767 245 0125) or Helen Clarke (Cabrits Cafe and Dive - tel 767 275 3020)”
27 October 2009 - Chateaubelair, SVG, Update
After some thirteen months with no reports of robberies at the Chateaubelair anchorage, the Caribbean Safety and Security Net has received a report of an assault and robbery of a yacht during the late evening hours of 18 October 2009. Full details of the incident are included on both the MOST RECENT and SOWINDWARDS pages. At this point, Chateaubelair goes back on our watch list: seven incidents confirmed in less than 2 years, with another four probable, and eight in the 18 months prior to that period. Yachts should not anchor at Chateaubelair and should tell everyone they know of the dangers there.
27 October 2009 - Grenada Clearance Regulations Change
Regulations enacted in May 2009 restricting yachts clearing in to Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique to stations at the Grenada Yacht Club and Hillsborough, Carriacou, have been changed. MAYAG (Marine and Yacht Association of Grenada) has been working with officials in Grenada to place a health official at the customs and immigration office in Prickly Bay, thus enabling yachts coming north from Trinidad and Venezuela to clear in at that station. The medical officer will be on station beginning Wednesday, 3 November, thus opening the Prickly Bay customs and immigration station for inbound clearance for yachts.
24 October 2009 - St. Georges, Grenada, Burglary Update
Two men have been arrested and jailed for 2 years and 6 months respectively for the burglary of a yacht anchored outside St. Georges Lagoon during Grenada Carnival and for receiving stolen goods. A number of the items have been returned to the owners.
23 October 2009 - Trinidad Emergency Net
Eric Mackie and his Trinidad Emergency Net (3855 LSB at 0630 AST) are temporarily off the air due to equipment problems. Eric will advise when he expects to be back on the air and apologizes to all his listeners for this inconvenience.
16 October 2009 - Dominica Update
The police in Portsmouth have arrested the third person of the team responsible for the assault and robbery incidents on two yachts in May and June of this year. The other two have been sentenced to 7 years and 7 2/3 years respectively. This third individual is currently out on bail as he is a juvenile. Stay tuned for the final outcome.
.
In view of the recent robbery and assault of the yacht enroute from Trinidad to Grenada (details of which are on the Southern Windwards link from ISLAND REPORTS), and the various reports of similar incidents in the same area and in Venezuelan waters over the past several years, there are some very specific precautions which cruisers can take to avoid or minimize attempts against them. Full details of the incident as well as plans from the coast guards of Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as MAYAG and YSATT to minimize future incidents can be found at www.grenadabroadcast.com/content/view/7005/45/ <http://www.grenadabroadcast.com/content/view/7005/45/> .
The Trinidad Coast Guard advises that pirogues are active from the south coast of Grenada and moving out to the north and east of Tobago to move marijuana to Toco at the northeast corner of Trinidad. The pirogues are active around the gas drilling rigs as these are used as landmarks for boats without navigation equipment. However, the pirogues range all over the area, from the north coast of Venezuela to Tobago and to the south coast of Grenada.
Efforts to interdict drugs are underway in this area and cruisers should be aware of the potential for running into smugglers and / or authorities who may mistake their innocent activities for something criminal. The area off the northeast coast of Trinidad is patrolled for fisheries protection and drug interdiction activities. These patrol vessels are often unmarked and the crew may not be in uniform, so it is difficult for the cruiser to determine their intentions.
Please bear in mind that there has been only one incident reported on the Trinidad/Grenada route, although there have been four additional reports of attempts (unsuccessful) in the past two years. In view of the large numbers of yachts which make this passage each year, the chances of a piracy attempt are very small but those who do sail this route should take every possible precaution. There are two gas drilling platforms in the area: Hibiscus at 11-08.8N 61.39.0W and Poinsettia at 11-13.9N 61-31.4W. Both monitor VHF 16 and have, in the past relayed calls to the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard.
These tips are taken from notes from cruisers and from the precautions page on this website and in some cases, the suggestions are in contradiction with each other: each vessel should make individual choices.
1.Think about a response plan before it is needed, with the emphasis on scaring away intruders (and this is certainly appropriate for yachts at anchor as well as those underway). THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PREPARATION A CRUISER CAN MAKE. Think about evasive maneuvers, first aid kit for possible injuries, response to fire aboard (e.g. gas cans hit by gunfire), where is the crew to shelter, can / should any further resistance to boarding be made (flare guns, sprays, etc.), how to initiate a distress call, use of lights and flares, and communication with other vessels and/or law enforcement authorities.
2.Consider traveling in a group, maintaining VHF or SSB contact on a regular schedule throughout the trip. Use a VHF channel other than 16 for group check-ins, but monitor both that channel and channel 16.
3.Since all the reports of boardings and attempted boardings have occurred during the day, travel at night. Some have suggested that you travel with no lights; however, that has its own inherent dangers. Your RADAR is of little use to detect these pirogues as they are usually wooden boats and will not show up on RADAR.
4.Sail as far east of the rhum line as possible, away from the locations of the previous reports, although that route means there are fewer other vessels to come to your aid if you need help.
5.Don’t discuss your departure plans (time and destination) with strangers on shore. Don’t describe your yacht to strangers: current location, name, number of people on board, whether or not you are armed.
6.The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard is suggesting that all vessels leaving from Trinidad file a float plan by phone with them: hull description, flag, crew, destination, estimated time of departure and estimated time of arrival. It is not clear what the follow-up will be. If you do file a float plan, be sure to notify the Coast Guard of your safe arrival.
7.Separate and hide valuables in multiple unpredictable areas on board, including passports and boat papers. Hide a copy of passports and boat papers in a different spot. If possible, hide a spare GPS and handheld VHF radio. Maintain a list of serial numbers of all equipment, keep it up to date when you add new equipment, and hide a copy of that list.
8.Make two copies of the contents of all wallets: credit cards (both sides), licenses, etc. Send one copy to a contact and home and hide one copy along with the copy of the passports. Be sure to have telephone numbers for the credit card companies to report a loss from abroad.
9.Check the Caribbean Safety and Security Net website regularly, both for additional security tips as well as reports of piracy or attempted piracy against other yachts, and learn lessons from how others have handled a piracy situation.
10.If your yacht is approached by a suspicious vessel, immediately activate DSC on your VHF and begin transmitting on VHF 16 and SSB 2182 that you feel you are in danger. Call out your yacht name and your location repeatedly until you get a response. If you are traveling in a group, one of those yachts will hear you, and if you are traveling alone, it is possible that another vessel in the area will hear you and come to assist. If you have DSC activated, that signal will extend a great distance.
11.Always remember, neither your yacht nor your possessions are worth serious injuries or worse. But you must consider that anyone willing to randomly fire at your vessel may not leave you unharmed if they are allowed to board. You must consider how and whether, and be prepared, to provide resistance to boarders as you determine to be appropriate.
The Caribbean Safety and Security Net welcomes additional suggestions: e-mail to svsecondm@aol.com <mailto:svsecondm@aol.com> or use the CONTACT US page on this website.
17 December 2009 - “Yacht crimes crippling SVG Tourism” from the Vincentian (reprint)
“The yacht charter industry in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is reeling under pressure from wanton burglary, break-ins and stealing from yachts, moored at the various harbours in the state.
The yacht charter companies are concerned that, despite repeated reports of the incidence of theft, the perpetrators are hardly ever apprehended, much less taken to court. The companies also cite as both ironic and disturbing that many of the crimes are perpetuated in the Ratho Mill area, which is in close proximity to the Calliaqua Police Station and the Coast Guard Base.
Incidents of crime
Around 8 October, Planned Outage, a Beneteau 50 yacht, was anchored off Princess Margaret Beach in Bequia. The guests went ashore for dinner, only to return to their yacht to find it had been broken into. Stolen were a computer, camera, cell phone and about US$1,500 in cash. A police report was made in Bequia but to date, the victims of the crime have heard nothing.
Since that incident, there have been twelve other reported cases of burglary or attempted armed robbery of yachts up to 6 December. The attempted armed robbery on 6 December failed; the perpetrator was apprehended by the captain and guests when he made his attempt on their yacht moored at Salt Whistle Bay, Mayreau.
Making known the situation
The situation in SVG has evoked so much concern that one yacht charter in St. Lucia is advising yachts to bypass SVG.
Ironically, one writer, Warren East, who had written glowingly about SVG in the magazine ‘Yacht Essentials’, stating that St. Vincent and the Grenadines was “having a bad rap”, had to swallow a bitter pill when his yacht was broken into a few days after the Constitution referendum here. He lost, among other things, a computer on which he had ‘saved’ a book he was working on over three years.
John West of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Recreational Marine Association (SVGRMA) sent an e-mail dated 7 December 2009 to Tourism Minister Glen Beache. In it, he tabulated a summary of incidents of crime against yachts.
The letter also included: “The Moorings St. Lucia are instructing all of their yachts to bypass St. Vincent until further notice, as many other yacht charter operators north of us already do. It is quite evident that yacht crime is rampant and is doing untold harm to what is without doubt the single most important part of our tourism product.”
West told THE VINCENTIAN in a telephone conversation on Wednesday, that he received a telephone call from the Minister in response to the e-mail, during which the Minister said he would take up the matter with the relevant authorities.
He said the Minister later informed him that he had met with security officials, including the Coast Guard, to discuss the vexing issue, and while there was limited resources, plans were being put in place to upgrade surveillance.
West said that he also received information from Faylene Findlay-Scrubb of the Tourism Ministry that the Ministry of National Security had met with senior public servants and officers of the National Parks to map out a preventative surveillance and interdiction action plan. While a number of suggestions made at the meeting were matters of national security and therefore not for public release, he was informed that consideration was being given to using two customs vessels to provide patrol service.
Yacht fees
Meanwhile, a charter operator has pointed to a $100 fee that each yacht pays upon entering the country. The tax is supposed to go towards providing patrol security for yachts in the country.
According to the operator, their business has collected $34,985 for the eleven months of this year and has turned that sum over to the government.
According to the operator, it does not need elaborate equipment to provide patrol surveillance; one dinghy and outboard engine would cost $11,000 and the government could purchase a few of those to provide patrol at nights.”
Meanwhile, two reports received by the Caribbean Safety and Security Net in November and December made mention of the increase in incidents, citing specifically Young Island Cut, Bequia and Mayreau. It is likely that most of these incidents happened to charter boats which is why few of these have been reported here. One report also indicted that the water taxis have lost outboards as well as visiting yachts.
4 December 2009 - Cartagena Security Concerns
Following on the 2 December armed robbery of a yacht entering Cartagena via the Boca Chica channel, the Colombian Coast Guard is advising visiting yachts to use the Boca Grande channel. Previously, the Boca Chica channel was the preference.
The whole harbor is marked with big red and green U.S. Style buoys, most of which are lit. The entrance to Boca Grande also has big red and green buoys marking the channel entrance. The depth may be the issue here if the yacht draws more than 10 feet. There is an underwater wall on either side of this entrance which boaters need to be aware of. People have hit the wall when not following the well-marked channel and going between the red and green marker. Once inside those two markers, it is a short trip to the anchorage with the Coast Guard and their patrol boats nearby.
IN addition, there have been a number of thefts of dinghies and outboards, both in Cartagena itself and in the nearby Rosarios Islands. Yachts visiting the area should always lock the dinghy to the mother ship and make every effort to life the dinghy out of the water on davits or a halyard.
21 November 2009 - Security Concerns: Trinidad and St. Vincent
The SOUTHERN WINDWARDS page includes a report from Young Island Cut on the south coast of St. Vincent. The description makes mention of two additional incidents which were reported that night and which the Coast Guard told our victim boat about when they came to take a report. No further details are available but yachts should note that not every incident of crime against yachts is reported to the Caribbean Safety and Security Net and that just because there are no reports listed for a particular anchorage means there are no incidents. Another listener reported that there had been, during the month of November, a spate of dinghy and outboard thefts in Chaguaramas, Trinidad: no further details available here either but worthy of a heads-up to those heading to Chaguaramas.
20 November 2009 - Dominica: New PAYS Boat Press Release
“Portsmouth Association of Yacht Services and Security (P.A.Y.S.) would like to remind all yachts visiting Dominica to moor or anchor in the North end of Prince Rupert Bay (between Blue Bay Restaurant and Purple Turtle) where security patrols are conducted nightly. Although we recognize that some visitors prefer the seclusion of the south end, current economic conditions does not permit our group to patrol the whole bay and although Dominica is one of the safest countries in the Caribbean, we can not assure your safety in this area.
Portsmouth Association of Yacht Security (P.A.Y.S.) is a registered non-profit association, established in 2007 and includes 17 members from the yacht tourism sector in Portsmouth including tour guides, yacht service companies, restaurants and dive centres in the community. Funding for the night security is provided by:
§Membership Fees
§Donations
§Fees from Yacht Moorings in Prince Rupert Bay.
§Fund Raising Beach BBQ’s and other fun activities
All services are provided by members on a voluntary basis to ensure all proceeds are dedicated to ensuring your security and to help further develop the yachting sector in Dominica.
Please help support our Program by Using PAYS members for your yacht services when coming to Dominica and joining in our fun events.
If anyone has any questions regards security in Prince Rupert Bay, please feel free to contact either Jeff Frank (President of PAYS - tel 767 245 0125) or Helen Clarke (Cabrits Cafe and Dive - tel 767 275 3020)”
27 October 2009 - Chateaubelair, SVG, Update
After some thirteen months with no reports of robberies at the Chateaubelair anchorage, the Caribbean Safety and Security Net has received a report of an assault and robbery of a yacht during the late evening hours of 18 October 2009. Full details of the incident are included on both the MOST RECENT and SOWINDWARDS pages. At this point, Chateaubelair goes back on our watch list: seven incidents confirmed in less than 2 years, with another four probable, and eight in the 18 months prior to that period. Yachts should not anchor at Chateaubelair and should tell everyone they know of the dangers there.
27 October 2009 - Grenada Clearance Regulations Change
Regulations enacted in May 2009 restricting yachts clearing in to Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique to stations at the Grenada Yacht Club and Hillsborough, Carriacou, have been changed. MAYAG (Marine and Yacht Association of Grenada) has been working with officials in Grenada to place a health official at the customs and immigration office in Prickly Bay, thus enabling yachts coming north from Trinidad and Venezuela to clear in at that station. The medical officer will be on station beginning Wednesday, 3 November, thus opening the Prickly Bay customs and immigration station for inbound clearance for yachts.
24 October 2009 - St. Georges, Grenada, Burglary Update
Two men have been arrested and jailed for 2 years and 6 months respectively for the burglary of a yacht anchored outside St. Georges Lagoon during Grenada Carnival and for receiving stolen goods. A number of the items have been returned to the owners.
23 October 2009 - Trinidad Emergency Net
Eric Mackie and his Trinidad Emergency Net (3855 LSB at 0630 AST) are temporarily off the air due to equipment problems. Eric will advise when he expects to be back on the air and apologizes to all his listeners for this inconvenience.
16 October 2009 - Dominica Update
The police in Portsmouth have arrested the third person of the team responsible for the assault and robbery incidents on two yachts in May and June of this year. The other two have been sentenced to 7 years and 7 2/3 years respectively. This third individual is currently out on bail as he is a juvenile. Stay tuned for the final outcome.
.