Cruising couple attacked in Carribean

[Dman]

I just got back after going to the Carribean for the first time.I stayed for 3 months and it was one of those nice places to visit but i wouldn`t want to live there feelings for me.As anyone knows ,if you do not know the person you are dealing with you are taking a chance anywhere on the planet.There are people who live on my road a mile away i that i would be packing if i went for a walk in the woods with,and then there are others who appear normal.The biggest negative i found was that people often overstated their abilities either to get close to you for friendship,money or whatever.Then again i live in a town of experts as well except they are too lazy to ever get involved.Having said all that ,i would pick up a hitchhiker when driving on any of the islands,but would never consider it in my home town.People are people,when they see you on a half a million dollar yacht and they live in somthing we would consider a dumpster,i`m surprised there isn`t much more open animosity.

[Wukong]

Dman,

What you have on St Croix is culture out of control. MY daughter tells me that every day a case comes up where the "moma's" live in boyfriend has knocked up the 13 year old daughter. It's hard to prosecute cause moma wants her "man" out of jail. Hey, dat's how dey live down in de islands. It would be funny except that the US government send you a me the bill and general lawlessness becomes the cultural norm.

If there was a Sinitic subculture (Chinese, Korean, Japanese) in the VI, poppa and momma may live in a dumpster, but little Wei would start adult life as a surgeon, lawyer, or some other educated career.

[Dman]

Sort of like sitting in the green room before a Jerry Springer show.

[Pura Vida]

In 2004 crime in the US Virgin Islands was about equal to what it was in the US as a whole with the VI having a slightly higher muirder rate. There are a lot of sources for actual information on this sort of thing. The USVI also has about 5 times the population as the BVI so one might expect an associated increase in crime. Frankly I felt safe in both places.

[starfish62]

Ok. My guy just left for the boat in Raeitae FP. I won't likely hear from him for a while except for occasional emails. These are stories I really don't want to hear. Especially since he tends to be, in my opinion, way too trusting in the good nature of his fellow man.

[Dman]

These are stories I really don't want to hear. Especially since he tends to be, in my opinion, way too trusting in the good nature of his fellow man.

This is the problem...you let your guard down because there are so many friendly people.I`m sure he`ll be alright though,most people that are looking to take advantage are just simply out to pull a rip with no violence.

[little boat]

i love reading this!
one guy lived there more than a decade ago. others are tourists or thier daughter says...
can't believe such uninformed and rude posters.
then you trash someone's religion?
oh yeah..and it would all be so much better for the baby boomers to retire there if the people whose actual home it is did what?
sounds like a bunch of drunken limey expats in the biwi antigua 1950's.
why would you travel to a place populated with people of a different culture and color if you already have decided you don't like them?
there is crime throughout the caribbean and the police are often corrupt..is it any different in kerplunket, alabama?
for people reading this thread and are considering visiting the caribbean, please ignore these out of date, racist posters and come see for yourself, its a wonderful place, far superior to most parts of the u.s.a.

[CaptainK]

Hey little boat.

Roughly where in the Carribean are you at anyway?

Yeah, certain view points can be over strewn here. But, crime is out there in the Carribean. Just like anywhere else in the world.

As log there are human beings. You're going to find crime somewhere among them!!

[Brent Swain]

It happens to people dumb enough to leave their hatches open. . Build your hatches out of aluminium and put a stop on them , leaving them open only enough to allow air but not people in.Better yet , put enough cowl vents in to eliminate the need to leave hatches open. A computer fan moves a huge amount of air thru a small vent. A wheelhouse lets you scan the deck and shoot with your speargun if neccessary ,without sticking your head out.
Brent

[little boat]

well lois, i guess i'm pretty dumb then because unless i'm afraid of it raining, my hatches are most always open. the companionway also. i have had a mooring in st thomas for seven or so years and sail south every year for the last 19 years. i have never been robbed. steve pavlidis posted on this thread early on, if you're there steve, maybe you can deal with this kind of ridiculous slander for me; these so called sailors yelling pirate! are too much for me.

[CaptainK]

Looks like we hurt, little boats' feelings!!

Little boat. If you don't like what you have been reading here. I'd suggest you move to another thread.

If any of this offends you. You're not going to win here!! Alot of people don't like pirates. I'm one of them!!

But the crime in the USA per capita is alot more. Due to our country being more populated than the Caribean islands are. Thus making it worse here. I agree with you there little boat!!

[ssullivan]

You know... I agree with Little Boat. It's simply wrong to travel to another place and have feelings of superiority to the locals. Having spent some time working in the Carribean, I have seen some crime, but nothing compared to the crime you see every day in the USA.

I think many people fear the unknown. I won't even touch the comments directed toward the culture/religious beliefs....

In fact, the nature of this thread is exactly why I haven't posted in it.

Pretty harsh words from me, but I call it like I see it. At least Little Boat called out the wrong here. Good for him (or her).

[GordMay]

I, for one appreciate experienced commentary, such as Little Boat offers, and respect his gallantry in standing up for the absent victims of our scorn & disdain.

I, like everyone, carry the burden of multiple prejudices and intolerance - but it’s incumbent upon intelligent civilized people (such as we Cruisers) to strive to transcend our unfounded & irrational cultural (& other) biases, xenophobia, and provincialisms. I try to reserve my biases for “quality” (of any kind), and my intolerance for stupidity & foolishness.

I’m not fond of St. Thomas, USVI. I’ve not felt totally comfortable & safe there, but cannot offer any concrete rational for my disquiet.

[Pura Vida]

Since GPS came out a lot of people just don't do the math any more. They just repeat what they see on the screen and hear on the radio. There are a lot of folks that have more island time than me so maybe they know some Rastas that are not above board. I only know a few and they are all decent guys as I suspect that most islander residents really are. Crime in the cruising community is real but too small a part of the risk equation to require getting advice on who to hate.

[starfish62]

I'm sure Elie will be fine but with little communication after months of much communication you can imagine it is difficult. I worry constantly. But I have always been the worry wart of the family.