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From: Larry N. Brown (no email)
Date: Fri Apr 20 2007 - 10:47:06 EDT
Re: Fatal voyage of Well Deserved
After mentioning the Van Sant book in one of my posts, Georgs asked if I
would write a brief summary of Bruce's ideas for those who've not read it.
I've done so in this post but I urge you to buy the book and read it all
even though the Chesapeake is as far south as you cruise.
There are bad people everywhere on earth; no one country or area has a
corner on the market. We have listees in cities to numerous to mention and
they'll all tell you what part of town to stay out of at night. Van Sant
expresses the concept of what we used to call in aviation, "situational
awareness". Being hyper-conscious of your environment.
(1) Avoid pickup crew. There are plenty college kids just killing time
between semesters but there are also plenty full-time young grifters, too.
(2) Avoid casual tours of your boat; this a prime way for someone to case
it. An innocent person might inadvertently pass critical information along
to someone not quite so innocent.
(3) In remote anchorages, leave the VHF on all night. Another boat may be
trying to broadcast important warnings that you need to hear.
(4) Be alert to people whose boat and story don't just hang together. I'm
ofter reminded of a pet python I used to have-don't ask why. Ernie was dumb
but he knew one thing very well. The rat was much smarter but he never had
the time to use his better brain. Con artists are a lot like Ernie; they're
not particularly smart but they do one thing very well- they look harmless
until they pounce.
(5) Ashore, don't dress for success. Dress simply and inexpensively. Don't
wear an "I'm rich" sign on your fingers or around your wrist.
(6) Avoid anchorages with "hippie" looking boats and crews. They can do a
lot of damage to your boat just to steal your VHF.
As a nation, we're trusting people, usually warm and outgoing but to
reiterate, you have to learn to pay a little closer attention to your
environment. Enjoy the people you meet cruising but keep a weather eye out
until you've checked their story with friends you know well.
Regards,
Larry & Teri Brown
MV Cigano, 47' Prairie Sundeck
Still glued to the dock in Covington, LA
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