Mike Harker Savagely Beaten In Carribean

[mintyspilot]

Originally Posted by Fishman_Tx

All the best to Mike for a speedy recovery.

Agreed

Originally Posted by Fishman_Tx

As for the gun argument, ...

He was asleep. It would have done him no good and merely given them something else to steal - after all, they took everything else. Even if he had shot them both dead, Martinque is not the US and he would be in the local jail.

I think this is more an argument for having a dummy safe in plain sight that you can open and let them steal the contents. Leave some money and cheap "valuables" or expired credit cards in there and have the real safe elsewhere.

[rebel heart]

That sucks. It's worth pointing out that he's had 10 years of not getting beat up.

[mintyspilot]

I wonder how hard the boat was to board? Did it have a ladder down or did they come up the anchor chain?

MarkJ had a picture a while back of a steel "grid" that fits in the companionway door, but lets the air in. It sounds like that is what is needed if you are anchored within sight of the coast.

As an aside, I notice the report says his boat is a "Hunter 49". What is a sailor of his proven ability doing with a Hunter? Surely a *real* cruiser.....

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by mintyspilot

I wonder how hard the boat was to board? Did it have a ladder down or did they come up the anchor chain?

Hunters have sugar scoop sterns. Stephen Hawking could board one.

[mintyspilot]

Hmmm... it gets worse...

Latitude 38 - 'Lectronic Latitude (then scroll way, way down...)


July 2, 2010 – Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama
Danish-American sailor Bond "Bo" Olsen, 61, died of a gunshot wound to his leg Tuesday, after being attacked by four men aboard his boat, Antares, which was anchored off Bajo Pipón Island in the Gulf of Chiriqui, on Panama's Pacific coast.
Although complete details surrounding the attack have yet to be released, we do know that Antares had been anchored off the island for roughly six months. Olsen's son Zacarías, 24, and his Panamanian wife Sujey Rodriguez, 27, were also attacked, but both survived their injuries.

[rebel heart]

The guy is 61 with a 27 year old wife and a 24 year old son. Nice.

[Drew13440]

Um, I think the 27 year-old woman was the son's mate. All of this stinks. On board or on shore, the best alarm/protection is a DOG. Mine is beloved by all who approach in friendship. You would not believe what she is capable of towards those who do not belong. She can smell it. Say goodbye to your nuts is you board me with ill intent. And no cop in any country will have any problem with the result.

[defever]

this is soooo sad...can't help but want to buy a weapon (or a pit bull)...this is why i have decided to stay in the bahamas when cruising...no crime (outside of nassau occasionally)..hell, i keep my entire boat unlocked/key in the ignition for months---all night/all day--even when i go home for a few mos... never had a problem and never heard of anyone who had... hope they catch the bastards...

[captain58sailin]

Sorry to hear about your misfortune Mike, I wish you all the best in your recovery.

[Drew13440]

defever, you don't need a weapon, or a pit bull, just a good natured dog. Mike was attacked in a relatively crowded anchorage, according to news reports. No dog worth a bucket of warm spit will sit quietly while strangers board your boat. They sense fear, and all people with ill intentions experience fear. Dogs will react accordingly. Like I said, board me with ill intent and the whole anchorage, including me, will be wide awake, well before the cabin is entered.

"Panama James" has a thread in here on spending time in a Mexican jail for his gun. You don't want to do that, trust me (and him). Get a dog and you will be fine.

[scook1]

Best of luck and wishing a speedy recovery. Glad to hear that Mike is feeling encouraged.
Spencer

[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.

[bigpuff]

robbery i can just understand but outright bl##dy thuggery christ that gets my wick up.I pray thay get there just deserts.Get well soon;there is allways another landfall just over the horizen....

[John A]

When I checked into Bequia one year, there was a notice in the Customs office that non-local dogs would be shot on sight.

[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!!!!