Next message: Dick Maddock: "Re: [world-cruising] Major overhaul"
wanna hear about pirates?
i like the ones in the movies, the sailors who fly the jolly roger as
a symbol of non-conformity can be fun and interesting, and i
especially like the pirates who sell computer software, digital
charts, video cd's and dvd movies, but thats not what i'm talking about.
i am talking about real life bad boys who put little value on human
life, carry guns and knives, and prey on cruising sailors.
i told you about some incidents that happened to my neighbors in isla
margarita, venezuela, now i want to tell you about other incidents of
piracy that i have heard about in the area we are now cruising, some
from the victims themselves, some second hand news.
*Mochima national park, venezuela- september- a cruising boat was
anchored in an isolated anchorage, no other sailboats in the small
bay, they were boarded by several men with guns and knives who came in
a small pirogue middle of the night, tied up the captain and wife,
stole electronics, money, other valuables.
*puerto la cruz, venezuela- past summer- numerous incidents of violent
muggings on the roads outside the marinas, sailors living in a state
of siege- all marinas have good security, gates and fences and guards,
and all seems perfectly safe inside the gates. two blocks from the
gate however, like at the bus stop, on the way to the chandlery, at
the local rum shop, not so safe. the marinas are all surrounded by
low-income barrios and the marina staff recommend all foreigners take
taxis everywhere, the police have stopped cruisers while walking and
insist they get into a taxi.
*curacao, - we were there briefly for a few days in october, warned by
everyone not to leave our dinghy in the water at night, there had
recently been a series of dinghy thefts.
*baranquilla, columbia-some time this past summer- cruising boat had
been anchored, several men in a small pirogue came out to the boat
with guns and knives, forced captain and crew to jump overboard and
swim to shore while the pirates ransacked the boat. theft and massive
destruction. the dog was killed.
*punta hermosa, columbia- last october- three boats sailing together
(for safety in numbers) anchored in an isolated bay, middle of the
night, one boat was boarded by men in a small pirogue with guns and
knives. captain and crew were tied up, captain beat badly, child
threatened at gunpoint, theft of everything valuable and massive
destruction. pirates approached second boat next, but captain and crew
had locked themselves inside, the captain sprayed pepper spray through
an open porthole into the face of an attacker, the pirates gave up and
left. third boat didnt hear a thing until it was all over.
*somewhere near the border of colombia and panama, july- captain was
ashore, forced at gunpoint to return to his boat with pirates who then
ransacked the boat, stole everything- not just valuables but galley
stuff, food, blankets. loaded it all into the dinghy. attackers had
automatic rifles.
*cartagena, colombia- october- large catamaran had just been launched
from the boatyard. while motoring inside the bay towards the yacht
anchorage, several pirogues and dugout canoes surrounded the boat,
attackers had guns and automatic rifles. boarded the boat, stole all
the valuables, beat the captain. later, the captain was able to buy
back some of his equipment from intermediaries.
ssb radio, on frequency 8104 upper side band, at 0815 atlantic
standard time, you can hear the safety and security net for the
caribbean. one of the purposes of this net is to provide information
on incidents of theft and piracy in the area. we personally dont
listen to this net, my boyfriend calls it the paranoia net, but i am
sure it would give you a good idea of whats really happening down here
in "paradise."
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