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Warning to Moorings refugees to St Lucia
#147758
10/31/2017 08:51 AM
10/31/2017 08:51 AM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 317 Staunton, VA
socamon
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 317
Staunton, VA
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We are currently sailing from St Lucia to Grenada, since our cat was totaled in the BVIs. I just received an email with the following My wife Pam recently received the attached warning that was posted on the "Women Who Sail" Facebook group. We own a crewed 4800 in St. Lucia and this is certain not the message that we want potential charters to hear. We hope that the Moorings management and other vacation orient businesses are putting appropriate pressure on the St. Lucien authorities to address this concern quickly.
Al and Pam Swanstrom
How Swede It Is M4800 crewed - St. Lucia
-------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: Facebook post -- Women who sail Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2017 15:09:17 -0400 From: pam <pam@swanstroms.com> To: Alan Swanstrom <al@swanstroms.com>
WARNING! Three nights ago in Soufriere Bay, Pitons, St. Lucia, a Moorings catamaran, not 20m away from our boat was boarded in the middle of the night by multiple armed gunmen. They stole all of the money and valuables onboard, terrifying the passengers, forcing the children to jump overboard into the water.
We arrived in the bay at sunset prior to the incident and were approached by a local boat offering guidance into the anchorage. This is not uncommon and usually welcomed, but I immediately had a bad instinctual feeling. The two guys were far too inquisitive, pushy and unaccepting of our decline to give them anything or accept a ride to shore with them. They claimed it was unsafe to take our dinghy in, but, instead, they would taxi us (leaving our boat unattended and us without transportation, at will, back to our boat). Of course, we continued to decline, but it quickly became a very uncomfortable situation. We left the bay immediately at day break.
This is not an isolated situation. There have been multiple boardings reported (one incident ended in a man being murdered protecting his wife), purse snatchings in broad daylight and even reports of rape in St. Lucia. The locals hassle you relentlessy. Please be careful, smart and safe if you choose to visit this island.
We will not be returning to St. Lucia. We have spent the last four months cruising the Caribbean and it has been nothing short of amazing. With the beauty of all the other islands, I have no desire to put up with that kind of [censored]. St. Lucia, get your act together. The police station is right there, yet their presence was ZERO! Put some cameras up! PATROL, PATROL, PATROL! Clean up the riff raff off the main street. The island is gorgeous, even the bars and restaurants were nice, but not nice enough to risk my life or property. Cruisers BEWARE!
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab® S __._,_.___ Posted by: Al <al@swanstroms.com> Reply via web post • Reply to sender • Reply to group • Start a New Topic • Messages in this topic (1)
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Re: Warning to Moorings refugees to St Lucia
[Re: Christo]
#147761
10/31/2017 11:02 AM
10/31/2017 11:02 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,718 Massachusetts
maytrix
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Posts: 5,718
Massachusetts
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I have seen past stories and they all involved boats in an anchorage by themselves or an area where it is not recommended to be. This is the first I've seen involving a boat in an anchorage with others around.
We had a great time our last two trips to St Lucia but I've never liked the boat boys as they are too aggressive and often don't take no for an answer so quickly. Last time we had 1 approach us and we told him thanks, but we are all set. He accepted that and left and then another boat approached us as we were much closer and I told them we were all set, no thanks and the other boat had already talked to us. They did not take no for an answer and then the other boat came back.. it was an uncomfortable situation.
They really do need to do something. With the money tourism brings in, you'd think having patrols and other deterrents would be more of a priority. Although it seems even when they do catch someone, the penalties are too lenient.
Matt
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Re: Warning to Moorings refugees to St Lucia
[Re: maytrix]
#147762
10/31/2017 07:16 PM
10/31/2017 07:16 PM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,766 Med/ Caribbean
sailbynight
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,766
Med/ Caribbean
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Take the first boat boy that comes. Pay him but decline tender services. Maybe tip them for garbage removal or anchor/mooring help. You'll end up with a much better visit. Oh and make Marigot Bay your base.
Last edited by sailbynight; 10/31/2017 07:20 PM.
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Re: Warning to Moorings refugees to St Lucia
[Re: aarpskier]
#147766
11/01/2017 10:53 AM
11/01/2017 10:53 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,718 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,718
Massachusetts
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What time of year did you go? I think, either things have changed or it is different during the busy season.
We had boys greet us at the dinghy dock when coming back to check in at the end of our trip and they said they were "security" and would watch our dinghy for a tip. Knowing this was more of a bribe to prevent them from causing trouble with it, we just gave them a few bucks and moved on.
Matt
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Re: Warning to Moorings refugees to St Lucia
[Re: maytrix]
#147767
11/01/2017 02:25 PM
11/01/2017 02:25 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 383 Pacific NW
snmhanson
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 383
Pacific NW
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This isn't the type of information I want to be reading right now. We are booked for a one-way St. Lucia to Grenada this February - we being myself, my wife, and my three kids (16, 12, 8). The charter base is located in Grenada and we are paying extra for them to bring the boat up to St. Lucia for our start. I've read about sporadic events in St. Lucia, but this is the worst I've heard of and I don't like the idea of having to deal with armed thugs or overly aggressive boat boys. We were planning on waving in the direction of St. Vincent as we sailed by so not so concerned about that island, but I was hoping St. Lucia was going to be relatively safe. In any case, not sure what I want to do at this point.
I suppose we could not do the one-way and just start and end our charter in Grenada. Just would have to see how amenable our airline is to changing our tickets at this point. Or, maybe we could make it from our start point in Marigot Bay all the way down to Bequia in one day if we left at the crack of dawn. In any case, it sounds like staying away from St. Lucia (other than possibly Marigot Bay) might be a safer bet at this time.
Can anyone concur with Chriskat that the situation in Grenada (and the Grenadines I hope) is relatively safe? Or, put another way, should we be out of the higher risk areas once we get south of St. Vincent?
Thanks,
Matt
Last edited by snmhanson; 11/01/2017 02:44 PM.
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Re: Warning to Moorings refugees to St Lucia
[Re: maytrix]
#147769
11/01/2017 09:42 PM
11/01/2017 09:42 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304 Rockford, Michigan
aarpskier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
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maytrix said: What time of year did you go? I think, either things have changed or it is different during the busy season. 2005 - April 2007 - November
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Re: Warning to Moorings refugees to St Lucia
[Re: snmhanson]
#147770
11/02/2017 04:31 AM
11/02/2017 04:31 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 167
Jccarr
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 167
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Under sail, we made it from between the Pitons, close to Sugar beach, to Bequia in 9 hours. We were up pre dawn engines running and slipped the lines at the first perception of morning light. We made Bequia in 9 hours and there at about 3:15 pm. Marigot bay is 10 miles north and requires more presision to clear the mooring area so you may want a bit more light on departure. Marigot Bay to Bequia is possible, Be sure to check on the time when the customs office closes. We were on a Moorings 4800 which may be faster than a smaller boat.
We were aware of additional crime around Soufriere so moored as far south/away as possible. We also had dinner on board. I felt pretty safe at our location. We also felt safe at Rodeny Bay.
I wrote a 2 part trip report on the one way trip over in the southern Caribbean section.
Last edited by Jccarr; 11/02/2017 04:35 AM.
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Re: Warning to Moorings refugees to St Lucia
[Re: rhans]
#147774
11/02/2017 10:32 PM
11/02/2017 10:32 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 167
Jccarr
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 167
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SNM, Bequia had many moorings open at 3:15. We moored away from Princess Margaret beech for security. We never felt unsafe anywhere on the trip but that was a year ago. I’m mostly reacting to what you see on the internet and the unknown, but once there we were fine last year. Generally the crime is theft of items left unlocked, no different than the mall at Christmas, not counting recent events at the Pitons. There were far more boat boys at the Tobago Cays than St Lucia and Bequia. All were polite and were providing services. Entering Bequia a boat boy will meet you and try to guide you a mooring ball that they are accociated with. I generally try to get a spot away from shore. The first Bequia boat boy was fine with me making my own selection, a nice lady met us next to help with the mooring, she just charged for the mooring. We accept their help and provide them some money. I even paid one guy to not help us, I wanted my crew to gain experience mooring. This goes a long way for relations and does not cost you much. We head back to Grenada in a few days. I let you know how it goes.
Fyi, the painters on the mooring balls in the area don’t have floats and the painter sinks, they require a bit more digging or help from your boat boy.
You should check the carribean security network and noonsite for what they have reported.
Last edited by Jccarr; 11/02/2017 11:15 PM.
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Re: Warning to Moorings refugees to St Lucia
[Re: snmhanson]
#147776
11/03/2017 02:34 PM
11/03/2017 02:34 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,718 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,718
Massachusetts
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I felt perfectly safe in St Lucia when in Rodney Bay and Marigot bay. We felt safe at the Pitons during a day stop as well. I just wouldn't have left the boat. This particular trip though our visit was to inspect our boat and make a list of issues, so we didn't really go anywhere but those 3 spots. We spent the majority of our time docked at Marigot enjoying the Capella resort.
Our prior trip (now 5 years ago) we did go all the way down to the Tobago Cays and back and felt safe the whole time as well. We we're never alone anywhere, there were always other boats.
Only stop we made on St. Vincent in Blue Lagoon since there was a Moorings/Sunsail base there at the time. We then stopped in Bequia, Canouan and Tobago Cays.. Bequia we stopped twice I think once on the way down and on the way back as well.
Matt
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Re: Warning to Moorings refugees to St Lucia
[Re: FRANKIE2]
#147777
11/04/2017 04:23 PM
11/04/2017 04:23 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304 Rockford, Michigan
aarpskier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 304
Rockford, Michigan
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FRANKIE2 said: I would not return to the Pitons, even though it is a easy stop before a run to Blue Lagoon. Yesterday, there were no boats in the Pitons when we passed by. A decade ago, our charters from St Lucia were not complete without an overnight stop to visit Dasheen. Fond memories include the climb up and meeting and talking with other cruisers over drinks while watching the sun set, before a fabulous dinner. It's too bad that experience has to be missed simply because their is no beach / bay security.
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Re: Warning to Moorings refugees to St Lucia
[Re: sail445]
#147780
11/09/2017 08:19 AM
11/09/2017 08:19 AM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 841
Sunset_Sammy
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 841
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sail445 said: You'll find most islands that went Independent from the U.K. couldn't govern themselves successfully and that's the reason for the poverty and crime. Very seldom will you see people harassing tourist on the islands still under French and Dutch rule. You may want to read some of the crime threads on the St. Maarten forum. Ask for advice on walking around Marigot at night as an example.
Drink all day at home, your friends worry about you; do it on vacation and they say "what a good time you're having". Save your friends needless worry, travel more!
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Re: Warning to Moorings refugees to St Lucia
[Re: Sunset_Sammy]
#147781
11/09/2017 08:32 AM
11/09/2017 08:32 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 80,012 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 80,012
Central Florida!
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Almost no reason to be in Marigot during the DAY these days.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
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Re: Warning to Moorings refugees to St Lucia
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#147782
11/09/2017 12:24 PM
11/09/2017 12:24 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 841
Sunset_Sammy
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 841
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Yes, and it's a shame what happened to the island, I loved going to the small local restaurants on the waterfront in Marigot, especially Enouchs. I'm not trying to knock SXM, it's just the last sentence of the above post doesn't seem to have a basis in reality. I'm leaving for St. Lucia in 5 weeks, land based this time but will be sailing there in April with the last leg of the WARC, so certainly concerned about the up tick in crimes against tourist. The ARC+ has already left the Canaries and the ARC will soon be following. Will have to check noonsite for any additional reports of problems. I read in the St. Lucia news that the government has given police powers to the group that is responsible for the marine parks, so hopefully that will help. For boats that are heading from Rodney Bay, the new location of the Moorings base, or Marigot Bay and can't make it all the way to Bequia in daylight; Cumberland Bay in St. Vincent has been good to us and one of our favorite stops. There are 5 beach bar/restaurants and a tourist center in the bay. The boat boys are more friendly than in Wallibalou and I haven't seen any reports of problems there in usual sailing sites. They know where their income comes from and they look out for their interests which is based totally on yachts stopping for the night. But of course, like anywhere else lock the boat, lock the dingy, motor and fuel tank.
Drink all day at home, your friends worry about you; do it on vacation and they say "what a good time you're having". Save your friends needless worry, travel more!
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Re: Warning to Moorings refugees to St Lucia
[Re: DaveZ]
#147785
11/15/2017 09:43 PM
11/15/2017 09:43 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,718 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,718
Massachusetts
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I'd start in St. Lucia just to spend time at Capella  Although when we were there it was July 2016 and we were just a handful of people there. But it was by far the best value we've ever had staying on the dock. We basically spent the majority of our time there as we weren't going to leave St. Lucia since we were doing a check out of our boat before phase out.
Matt
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Re: Warning to Moorings refugees to St Lucia
[Re: DaveZ]
#147791
11/22/2017 05:26 PM
11/22/2017 05:26 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559 Apex, NC
agrimsrud
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559
Apex, NC
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Maybe I'm not supposed to ask or think this question or maybe I'm missing something. Why is this long and I'm sure interesting thread located here under the BVI forum?
Life's short - sail more!
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