Canadian Sailor Murdered in Honduras

[GordMay]

“A 55-year-old Canadian man was killed while travelling with his 13-year-old daughter in Honduras Friday, according to second-hand reports posted on Spanish-language news websites.

The tourist was travelling on a boat north of Honduras in the Caribbean Sea and decided to camp on a riverbank near the sea, one report said.

He was set upon by several assailants, it read.

It quoted local radio as saying the 13-year-old alerted residents of the area to the event, but that she is now missing...”

“... Additional Honduran reports say the two were on a yacht trip travelling from Guatemala to Utila, an island off the coast of Honduras, when they stopped at a lagoon at El Diamante where the incident took place...”

“... The Spanish-language daily La Prensa said the man, in his 50s, was travelling with his daughter from Guatemala in their yacht when a storm forced them to seek shelter in a lagoon on the Caribbean coast of northern Honduras.

The newspaper quoted police spokesperson Abelino Gomez as saying that an unknown number of men boarded the Canadians' boat Thursday night, "probably with intent to rob," and shot the father when he tried to stop them.

The teenager called Honduran authorities for help after the shooting, but the attack occurred on an isolated stretch of coast that is two hours by boat from the northern city of Tela and police were unable to reach the scene due to bad weather.

After calling to report the killing, the girl disappeared and Honduran police have been unable to contact her. ..”

More ➥ Canadian tourist murdered in Honduras: report - thestar.com

And ➥ Canadian killed, teen missing in Honduras

Below: Photo of Laguna del Diamente, the remote bay in Honduras where a Canadian sailor is believed to have been shot by bandits. Photo taken from an online photo album of an earlier voyage in spring 2010.

[phiggins]

It was reported this morning in Rio Dulce that the daughter who evidently dived overboard was picked up by a passing freighter and taken to Belize. The boat is reported to be adrift with the body still onboard.

The captian was Milan Egrmajer of s/v Adena.

[chadlaroche]

disturbing

[simonmd]

That poor girl, I hope she has more family back home to help her recover from this.

[hummingway]

Hurrah for the granddaughters quick thinking. How awful for the family.

[Bluefuss]

I don't own a pistol, but I wonder if spear guns and flare guns a enough protection.(and I know this has been debated to death). Very sad and very scary, as my youngest daughter wants to cruise with Dad when I get going.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by phiggins

It was reported this morning in Rio Dulce that the daughter who evidently dived overboard was picked up by a passing freighter and taken to Belize. The boat is reported to be adrift with the body still onboard.
The captain was Milan Egrmajer of s/v Adena.

Thanks, Paul.

The sailing adventures of Captain Milan aboard the sailing vessel ADENA - a 1977 Ericson 35 Mark II sailboat.
➥ Welcome to sv ADENA

Capt. Milan & s/v ADENA

[chadlaroche]

Originally Posted by Bluefuss

I don't own a pistol, but I wonder if spear guns and flare guns a enough protection.(and I know this has been debated to death). Very sad and very scary, as my youngest daughter wants to cruise with Dad when I get going.

the report gord posted stated they had decided to "camp ashore". Its my understanding most countries,if they allow you to have a gun , still wont allow you to have it ashore with you . Either way they( the robbers) did have a gun and werent afraid to use it. A one shot spear gun or flare gun would have made little difference This is just really sad

[hummingway]

There seems no confirmation that the daughter/granddaughter has been found but the news reports seem a little confusing:
Canadian killed, female relative missing in Honduras: reports

CTV Winnipeg- Daughter of Canadian killed on yacht rescued - CTV News

[left52side]

So sad to hear stories like this...
I often really sit and wonder what makes some people do the things they do and it is a very sad thing.
My condolinces to his family and wish the daughter well.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by chadlaroche

the report[s] gord posted ...

Were second hand, contradictory, and in no way definitive.

[Connemara]

Do we know the home port of the skipper?

Connemara

[David M]

Although tragic, it is fortunate that incidents like this are rare in the big picture. The odds still say that cruising is relatively safe compared to other activities like driving a car. When people hear of tragic incidents like this many start thinking it is necessary to have an armory onboard, which again if you look at the odds, is not necessary.

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by Connemara

Do we know the home port of the skipper?

Connemara

He appears to have started his journey from St. Catherines Ontario.

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by David M

Although tragic, it is fortunate that incidents like this are rare in the big picture. The odds still say that cruising is relatively safe compared to other activities like driving a car. When people hear of tragic incidents like this many start thinking it is necessary to have an armory onboard, which again if you look at the odds, is not necessary.

The Canadian Gov't has issued an advisory with regards to Honduras. Violent crime appears to be a problem, irrespective of cruising, it is a place to be avoided right now. Unfortunately it seems weather drove them into this port.