Murder in Antigua

[starfish62]

Recent, similar story about an American chef--five months pregnant--kidnapped and murdered in Puerto Rico yesterday, so it's not just Antigua.

The Associated Press: Pregnant tourist abducted, killed in Puerto Rico

[Southern Star]

Therapy, I'm not sure that a mass exodus of yachts would solve anything. Firstly, where would they relocate that can guarantee no crime against cruisers or tourists? Nowhere. We should also be aware that while we may like to think otherwise, to the local people cruisers are really just tourists who arrive in their own boats - and who then stay in less secure environments than most hotels!

Antigua is a beautiful island with a decent infrastructure and with a great number of businesses geared towards the cruiser. 'Stuff' happens and really, it could just as easily have happened in our own backyards. I live in a very safe and small community and, especially since crack cocaine has hit our streets, we have had a sad, but significant increase in both robberies and murders. As I alluded to earlier, cruisers by definition should not/cannot become immobilized by fear.

Lampe, I am sorry that you are writing off the entire Windward Islands, which I gather you just cruised, and now the Leewards because of this incident. But crime in the Virgin Islands - and especially the USVI's, against cruisers/tourists is also not unknown. Yes, we can be ruled by fear - but eventually, if we wish to cruise, we just have to accept that there will always be some risks associated with the activity beyond storms and reefs. If we are not prepared to accept that, then we had best just stay locked up in our own homes - a place where we can at least have the illusion of safety.

Brad

[ess105]

I am reminded that just before we left to go cruising a NY acquaintance of ours was murdered by her husband who we also knew. Shocking but we're not avoiding NY nor married couples. The good news, of course, is that we're surrounded by boaters of all sorts all alive and well. I know where I'd rather be.

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by Southern Star

Therapy, 1 I'm not sure that a mass exodus of yachts would solve anything. 2 Firstly, where would they relocate that can guarantee no crime against cruisers or tourists? Nowhere. We should also be aware that while we may like to think otherwise, 3 to the local people cruisers are really just tourists who arrive in their own boats - and who then stay in less secure environments than most hotels!



Brad

1 Not sure either. If a popular place emptied out then many would see an opportunity to have a better choice of mooring balls and better prices. Like I said. It affects only a few.


2 No place guarantees that. Hmm. Marketing opportunity for armed and protected marina/anchorage. Don't they do that a lot in South/Central America?


3 Of course. They are also known to be "rich" since how could you not be while cruising in your own yacht. They are also known to have no defenses of consequence.

So it is as you (and others) say. Pay attention. Be careful. Don't flaunt. Stay out of "bad" places after dark. Stay out of "really bad" places no matter what.

"Bad" is relative and open to an individual's interpretation.

[starfish62]

[starfish62]

Barbados is about the same as the US. Jamaica, on the other hand. . .

[Therapy]

Pakistan has a coast.
Anyone cruise there?

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by starfish62

Barbados is about the same as the US. Jamaica, on the other hand. . .

5 to 35 seems a big jump to me.

But then I am distracted. When I first glanced at the graph I thought the first entry was Switzerland . I need to have a shower and change my shorts.

[starfish62]

Things have calmed down quite a bit in S Africa & Colombia since 2000, also. I've never had a very good image of Jamaica, though.

[ess105]

Re "mass exodus of yachts". I think the biggest concerns in Falmouth harbour would be loss of the mega-yachts. Each one of those beasts pushes a lot of money down into the local economy in terms of local hiring, provisioning, spares, replacements, etc. Lose just one or two of those boats to another location and the local economy will feel it a lot harder than having a bunch of budget concious cruisers leave. No surprise all the local business folk were up in arms within 24 hours of a mega-yacht captain being murdered. Somehow I doubt the reaction would have been quite as strong had it been little old me. They were all shook up. I even had the customs guy appologise when we cleared out.

[bobelon]

Here's an interesting slant on the Somalia issue.
Is Toxic Waste Behind Somali Piracy ? - Digital Journal: Your News Network
I must admit it's something I did not know and never considered.

[lampe]

That's what's happens. Talked to a mega-yacht today, they cancelled their
reservation and went north to St. Thomas as a result of this.

So, this will effect deffinetly even more the economy in a bad way