Why, o why (Yachtsman Shot in Pr. Margaret Bequia)

http://thevincentianonline.com/yachtsman-shot-p671-97.htm

That's pretty scary.

Jim and I stayed right off of Jack's beach bar when we were there in June, and it can get a little isolated that far out of town - it sounds like there weren't many close neighbours by to help him...

Thanks for posting this!

Very scary indeed.
Hopefully they will find those that attempted to murder this man and bring them to justice.

WOW! I swam into that bar last year, had no money, but the owner gave me and my crew beers and drinks and we came back for dinner. Never felt much danger in that harbor. After what happened to the elderly couple in Tobago last year it seems the pattern, if any, if small older crew. Be careful!!

Oh well; at least it's reassuring that the local authorities are so alert. effective and quick to assist.............

We too anchored there two years ago; took us at least 10 minutes with the dingy to Admiralty bay.

We anchored off Jack's bar in April this year - quite a few boats around. Never felt safety an issue.

Bequia need's to address this safety issue quickly or people may start to bypass the area.
We sailed one way from St Lucia to Grenada - in the boat briefing they advised skipping St Vincent and going straight to Bequia due to previous issues in Cumberland bay etc.
However we stopped at Cumberland Bay - had a great visit - people very friendly and trying hard to recover from past issues.

Bob

[color:"green"]Are the couple who were boarded in Tobago the couple who invited 2 guys they did not know on board their boat for a drink during which time they saw and were shown everything there was to see and came back later to 'teef dem' ? We all asked how come the guys knew where the mobiles etc were and how come it took the owners so long to wake up? Too much rum? And then the skippers wife spoiled his aim when he tried to shoot the buggers! Well that was the local take on it, one 'take' anyway as tales always develop when repeated that's how it has always been. Did not stop us and does not stop us from going to the same beach time after time I can assure you as it is a beautiful beach. Let common sense & being streetwise prevail, if it does not feel right then move on. Joshua Slocum used to spread a handful of carpet tacks on the deck when he retired for the night so he could sleep easy, worked for him! Justa thought...............[/color]

The island governments throughout the Caribbean must step up and take these robberies seriously. In TT the response is always people fron Trinidad, in the Grenadines it is always blamed on people from St Vincent, etc. Have sailed and stayed on land for years on the various islands. Know many long time residents, and they will say many of the recent problems are done by locals, from Carriacou, Mayreau, Grenada as well. Years ago, yachts were broken into on Mayreau when the sailors were off boat, having dinner on Mayreau, Carriacou, Tobago Cays as well.This problem must be tackled by a unified front on behalf of the various governments. The fact the police on Bequia have no access to boats is appalling.

I'm surprised. Bequia is a peaceful, small island with very friendly people. I hope that the government is able to ramp up security. It would be a shame to feel unsafe on such a wonderful, welcoming place. I have always felt very safe when visiting (by boat or staying on island). Sad.

Hopefully he remembered to pick up those carpet tacks in the morning!

Any updates on the event? Have they found out who did it?