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Please Be Vigilant
#314121
02/24/2024 08:26 AM
02/24/2024 08:26 AM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 106 Hillsborough, NC
OceanSong
OP
Traveler
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 106
Hillsborough, NC
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If this post is not appropriate for this forum, I apologize and please remove. Many are probably already aware of the recent horrific event in Grenada. A cruising couple was apparently murdered by 3 escaped prisoners, their catamaran hijacked and used to temporarily escape to St. Vincent. The catamaran was found abandoned off St. Vincent the middle of last week. The 3 escapees are now back in custody. The couple was well known in the Caribbean cruising community and many in the BVI may have been acquainted with them. I post this to inform but also to remind us all to be vigilant. Cruising and chartering are probably two of the safest hobbies/lifestyles one can choose; however, whether on the water or ashore bad things can and do happen. My wife and I just spent 5 months in Grenada and felt safe the entire time. Grenada has a reputation as a cruiser-friendly island and a very safe island. Nonetheless, just like back at home (wherever that might be) one must be careful. Likely this couple was careful and the events that unfolded were totally out of their control. https://safetyandsecuritynet.org/incident-3242/There are now numerous reports online with new information emerging.
Last edited by OceanSong; 02/24/2024 08:52 AM.
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Re: Please Be Vigilant
[Re: OceanSong]
#314125
02/24/2024 09:18 AM
02/24/2024 09:18 AM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,391 Washington DC
bailau
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,391
Washington DC
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Appreciate the PSA and had seen that report...a related question
Has any experienced crime on their boat in the BVI? I have always been curious..
Last edited by bailau; 02/24/2024 11:11 AM.
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Re: Please Be Vigilant
[Re: OceanSong]
#314131
02/24/2024 10:28 AM
02/24/2024 10:28 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,044 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Traveler
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Posts: 83,044
Central Florida!
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OceanSong--why would it not be appropriate? It is information. Sad information but truthful. We all have a tendency to think that when we're on vacation, nothing bad can happen, other than maybe being overcharged for a meal, but that is sadly not true.
Carol Hill
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Re: Please Be Vigilant
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#314136
02/24/2024 11:11 AM
02/24/2024 11:11 AM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,391 Washington DC
bailau
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,391
Washington DC
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The only time I have been boarded and robbed was in the BVI. We were on the dock at Conch charters in Roadtown. were you on board at the time, George?
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Re: Please Be Vigilant
[Re: OceanSong]
#314147
02/24/2024 02:42 PM
02/24/2024 02:42 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,044 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
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Posts: 83,044
Central Florida!
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OceanSong--yes, the actual incident did not take place in the BVI's, but I took your post to be a more general one, for everyone to be careful, which is good advice.
Carol Hill
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Re: Please Be Vigilant
[Re: bailau]
#314150
02/24/2024 02:49 PM
02/24/2024 02:49 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,098 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,098
GA/NC
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The only time I have been boarded and robbed was in the BVI. We were on the dock at Conch charters in Roadtown. were you on board at the time, George? The only time I have been boarded and robbed was in the BVI. We were on the dock at Conch charters in Roadtown. were you on board at the time, George? We were onboard. My wife woke me and said someone was on the boat. To humor her I got up and looked around and lit the boat up. Saw no one and went back to bed. In the morning found several items missing including 300 in cash from wife’s purse which was on a shelf just outside our cabin door. Conch had camera’s and caught him boarding the boat. I was told he also hit a TMM boat. Police had zero interest in doing anything. Just said it’s Christmas time!
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Re: Please Be Vigilant
[Re: Zanshin]
#314154
02/24/2024 03:26 PM
02/24/2024 03:26 PM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 106 Hillsborough, NC
OceanSong
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Posts: 106
Hillsborough, NC
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I’ve seen different reports. Either anchored off Grand Anse, or at a “St.George’s marina”, which would most likely be Port Louis? I guess it could have been at the yacht club, but Port Louis seems more likely for transient dockage.
Based on the most recent information they were at a marina, not anchored. Having been involved in scores of murder investigations, I always caution that media reports (even from official sources) are often incomplete or inaccurate. It generally takes a few weeks to filter through all the available evidence to gain an accurate account of what happened.
Last edited by OceanSong; 02/24/2024 03:33 PM.
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Re: Please Be Vigilant
[Re: OceanSong]
#314179
02/24/2024 11:21 PM
02/24/2024 11:21 PM
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,173
MIDiver
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,173
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The only time we have been boarded was in the Grenadines - Canouan. On our friends’ yacht - a 48’ FP. They had an alarm and it went off when they tried to get into the salon. They installed alarms due to the repeated issues in the area (there were based in Carriacou). Only minor things in the cockpit area were therefore taken. Local police do nothing about it. The waters there anre beautiful but I never felt completely at ease. Our friends have since left the area (on a circumnavigation). They implied they would not return to base in that area).
Last edited by MIDiver; 02/24/2024 11:24 PM.
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Re: Please Be Vigilant
[Re: OceanSong]
#314182
02/25/2024 06:12 AM
02/25/2024 06:12 AM
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,009 U.K. and Spain
Jeannius
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,009
U.K. and Spain
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Way back in the late 90s our charter boat was boarded at Mayreau, Grenadines, whilst we were eating ashore. Personal items taken, some of sentimental value. Took hours to make a report to the police on Union as there was a cricket match, West Indies vs England, on the TV in the back office. Every time a roar went up from the office, the guy taking our report would put down his pen and disappear into the back for a while to watch. Needless to say nothing ever came of the report.
In the BVI, the only time we had a problem was when anchored in Deadman's Bay, Peter Island, while an 'important' wedding was taking place ashore. An off-duty C&I official in one of their go-fast boats came and told us to move. I pointed out we were fully entitled to be there and we weren't moving. He then ordered me into my dinghy, took me 50 yards from the boat and then informed that, yes I could stay there, but I really didn't want to find out what would happen if I did. I moved. Don't mess with C&I.
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Re: Please Be Vigilant
[Re: Deepcut]
#314200
02/25/2024 01:51 PM
02/25/2024 01:51 PM
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,613 Woodstock, GA
RickinAtlanta
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,613
Woodstock, GA
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Thanks for the information and so sad for the couple and their family.
Co-incidently, on my flight home from BVI this week, I learned of the murder of a 22 year old female student at the University of Georgia.Her alleged killer did not know her, but like the incident Ocean Song posted about, the assailants had history of violence/crime. (the last murder of student at UGA was over 20 years ago.
I learned about this murder from a friend who's family had sailed with me in the BVI a couple years ago. Her daughter was good friends with the victim.
Just a reminder there is no place that is immune from crime. Always use appropriate amount of vigilance.
Both brothers are illegals.
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Re: Please Be Vigilant
[Re: tangerine3]
#314388
02/27/2024 03:03 PM
02/27/2024 03:03 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 677 Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 677
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
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Chris Doyle does use a little alarm system on his boat when sailing the Windwards. I honestly think that would be overkill in the BVI unless you already had it installed. We have a dog, so that helps too.
Sue s/v Ripple Leopard 40
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Re: Please Be Vigilant
[Re: OceanSong]
#314456
02/28/2024 10:49 AM
02/28/2024 10:49 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 969 Middleburg, VA
cwoody
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 969
Middleburg, VA
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Quote "I would probably forget the tacks were there and end up stepping on them myself"
Lots of battery powered motion detector alarms available that won't stick in your feet.
Chuck W.
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