Mike Harker Savagely Beaten In Carribean

[Outlawed]

I hope for a speedy recovery and I hope to see karma pay these scum bags a visit.

[witzgall]

Wow, that is just plain scary. I really hope the local police take this as serious as it is, and apprehend those responsible very, very quickly.

And of course I hope Mike is able to mend up as good as new.

Chris

[John A]

Originally Posted by shadow

That brings me to my next question, he was obviously in a crowded anchorage as it only took the one guy to get there within 2 minutes, was Mike targeted?? Meaning, was he doing something noticeable on land that got the thugs attention? Or was it the fact that the thugs swam around and they happen to find the first easy access yacht??

I'd be really curious to find out if it was truly random.. or were they (thugs) watching Mike for sometime?? Your thoughts??

Get well soon Mike!!!!

I wish him a speedy recovery also.

But there needs to be more information as to the location or if he had been ashore where someone noticed that he seemed to have money.
I've been to this island twice a year from 2002 to 2009, as a singlehandler. I used six different anchorages as this was one of my favorate islands. At a guess I'd say that over 2,000 cruising boats are here during the season. Most of the ARC crowd visits here before returning to Europe. I've done several travels to the interior and have never felt unsafe.
There are several large sail charting outfits at Marin and this is a favorate island for the French to retire or visit from France. There is also a large Club Med close to Marin. Fort of France has as many as three cruise ships at the dock daily.
The island is adminastrated by the French Government. And this attack was the same as a "home invasion" made popular by TV and movie.

I'd recomment that we continue to visit this island, just be careful.

[beau]

I agree with the no guns bit, but what is the best way to protect your boat from these people?.
I remember Joshua Slocum spread fishhooks over the deck at night.
Pehaps Tacks?
I don't want to carry a dog with me.
North of here in New Guinea we have a similiar problem with "rascals".
The thing is you don't want them on the boat,period.
Any suggestions?

[Ram]

Originally Posted by beau

I agree with the no guns bit, but what is the best way to protect your boat from these people?.
I remember Joshua Slocum spread fishhooks over the deck at night.
Pehaps Tacks?
I don't want to carry a dog with me.
North of here in New Guinea we have a similiar problem with "rascals".
The thing is you don't want them on the boat,period.
Any suggestions?

do you really think these guys are gonna take off there shoes before they come aboard??

[Serenity_]

Can the Sat Phone be traced the once they turned it on?

I hope for a speedy recovery and bad karma on those men who did this to him. I am sure the crime rate for cruisers are well below any standard in an American city though so I wouldn't be to scared about it. Lock your doors!

[mintyspilot]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

mintyspilot, Mike lost his rudder in mid pacific and managed to save the boat. He jury rigged a rudder and got to an island where he rendezvoused with other cruisers who towed him to a safe anchorage. Hunter shipped him in a new rudder.

As far as I am aware there is no "sarcasm" smiley on this forum but I would have used one in my original post if there was. I was alluding to the fact that many on here denigrated Hunters as only suitable for mooring in the harbour and no real sailor would be seen out at see on one.

I happen to like Hunters. I'm seriously thinking of buying a 33 or 36. It's nice to know that a "real ocean sailor" uses one and that Hunter acted as they did to help him.

[dkall]

Noonsite: Serious Attack and Robbery in Guadeloupe Reports that this happened in Guadaloupe! Guess we'll have to wait for more details.

[Christian Van H]

Originally Posted by shadow

That brings me to my next question, he was obviously in a crowded anchorage as it only took the one guy to get there within 2 minutes, was Mike targeted?? Meaning, was he doing something noticeable on land that got the thugs attention?

I'd be really curious to find out if it was truly random.. or were they (thugs) watching Mike for sometime?? Your thoughts??

Yes, Mike was targeted. He was the guy with the $200,000 boat anchored off, while half the Caribbean is really quite poor...

[David_Old_Jersey]

In circumstances like these would be interesting to hear a bit more about the local crime scene and how it operates - as useful to understand and prepare for any extra judicial consequences of the next sailor sticking the harpoon through a head (or 2), rather than bending it accross their knee.........

[Christian Van H]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

as useful to understand and prepare for any extra judicial consequences of the next sailor sticking the harpoon through a head (or 2), rather than bending it accross their knee.........

If he lined them up just right, he could get them both in one shot. I'd pay to see that pic...

[mintyspilot]

Originally Posted by Christian Van H

Yes, Mike was targeted. He was the guy with the $200,000 boat anchored off, while half the Caribbean is really quite poor...

Yes - I had a similar thought. To have a yacht of any description you must be "rich" by the standards of anyone living in poverty. Maybe he was the nearest boat to the shore? D*mn the inconvenience - moor further out?

[GordMay]

For the purpose of comparison, Guadeloupe has a population of over 400,000.

➥ United States cities by crime rate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


http : // en . wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_cities_by_crime_rate

[jackiepitts]

We witnessed a attempted kayak theft in broad daylight in the middle of a crowded anchorage in Mazatlan with two people aboard the boat (neither heard a thing). The thief swam up to the boat, reached up untied the kayak and swam off with it. While this was happening my husband happened to be looking out over the anchorage and realized something was wrong...he jumped in our dinghy, notified the owners of the kayak and they chased down the thief...the thief jumped off as he saw them coming and the kayak was rescued but the thief was not caught.
The reason I believe this boat was targeted was because of its location in the anchorage....it happened to be located within swimming distance of a jetty. It was a crime of opportunity.
I also believe that a boat with a sugar scoop stern would be a target due to it being so easy to board from the water (that cannot be a good thing).

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by Palarran

I lock my cockpit door at night but there are 10 hatches open. I've been trying to figure out how to put strong bars across them...

Don't forget that in case of an emergency--fire, flooding, whatever--you need to have a way to get out quickly. All too often, in dangerous neighborhoods, people lock themselves into their homes without considering this. Many needless deaths happen during fires because people have barred their windows and doors and cannot get out quickly when they have to.