Robbed in Nassau

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by amytom

Sadly no time soon. Soft on criminals and blame the victim seems to be all the rage lately.


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Yes and it's not getting any better.

[CSY Man]

Not sure anybody is blaming the victims: Petty theft can be avoided somehow, using a barrier in the companionway for example.

I was boarded and robbed in St. Thomas 30 years ago.
Boat on the hard, companionway open, us sleeping in the V-berth, day before carnival.
Some young punk quietly climbed up the ladder snuck inside and grabbed my wallet on the table. Then quietly left.
We never woke up. Probably a good thing, somebody could have been hurt or killed falling or jumping of the boat.
Next morning I had no idea we had been robbed and thought I left the wallet in the car or something.
Coming back from work that day the yard office had some of the contents from the wallet: It was found scattered along the outside of the fence. Everything but the cash.
Since then I never go to bunk without installing bug screens on the companion way and on the hatch openingings.
The screens won't stop anybody bit smashing them will make enough noise for us to wake up and grab the million decibel air horn and a sharp knife.
Never had a problem, but then again we never anchor in Nassau anyway, it is a known rat-nest for boat thiefs and robbers and has been that way since I started sailing the Bahamas 17 years ago and probably long before that.

[Southern Star]

I'm not sure what is so offensvie to some to practise the old adage of an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure. If you must stay in a dangerous local, place a locking gate on your companionway and a bar on large hatches. Have a trip switch to set off an audible alarm/spreader lights. Don't overtly engage in any signs of wealth when off the boat (expensvie jewelry, designer clothes). Raise your inflatable and secure it and your outboard with S/S chain and solid locks.

Was Joshua Slocum giving in to people of low moral standards when he spread tacks over his deck at night in Patagonia? Come to think of it, if this thief in Nassau is swimming to the boats he boards, that alone may have prevented this crime.

In any event, I see all of these measures as the equivalent of maintaining/upgrading your boat for safety at sea. Somewhat like redundant halyards and insurance, if I have them I will probably never need them. If I don't and the need arises, I have only myself to blame.

Brad

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by rwidman

1)

2) Why didn't you call the police first, not ask the guards to do it?

t.

You best bet in Nassau harbour is to hail the RBDF (defense force) on CH 16. They have a unit ready at the bridge all night. Forget the police or security.

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[socaldmax]

[QUOTE=IdoraKeeper;2039600]

Originally Posted by Wakey

No zhag, it's not different. I was going to explain this to you but common sense is lost on romantics.

Wealth does not offend poor people, just liberals.



I think Z in her way is trying to explain CONTEXT. Your point is not relevant in the CONTEXT in which she is living. I would assert that brutal hard work and serious aggression exist side by side in the 3rd world. There is a serious disconnect between work and reward. There is no circumstance whatsoever that will connect the two...the only way to get anything is naked aggression. People in those circumstances care less for your truth, even less for your values. Hence, El Chapo. In that context, its your world turned on its head. Wealth is not evidence of virtue but the personification of evil. Trying to apply North American values to that context is viewed at best as simple stupidity and at worst as outright provocation. Want to get robbed, assaulted, screwed over? Just display how evil you really are. Just sayin.....

So what you're saying is the only way to counter "naked aggression" is by equally naked force. Since they don't care about morals or values, the only thing they care about is violence.

El Chapo isn't where he is out of charity. He's there because he's the first to shoot anyone he doesn't trust. The cops he just pays off.

Is that really the example you want to use?


I think I'll just avoid high crime areas. You're generalizing too much. Not everyone in a poverty stricken area is a thief. Usually it's just a few people who the cops know about but just haven't locked up for good. There are beautiful places to go with low crime, no need to hang out somewhere where you are a target.

[socaldmax]

Originally Posted by CSY Man

Not sure anybody is blaming the victims: Petty theft can be avoided somehow, using a barrier in the companionway for example.

I was boarded and robbed in St. Thomas 30 years ago.
Boat on the hard, companionway open, us sleeping in the V-berth, day before carnival.
Some young punk quietly climbed up the ladder snuck inside and grabbed my wallet on the table. Then quietly left.
We never woke up. Probably a good thing, somebody could have been hurt or killed falling or jumping of the boat.
Next morning I had no idea we had been robbed and thought I left the wallet in the car or something.
Coming back from work that day the yard office had some of the contents from the wallet: It was found scattered along the outside of the fence. Everything but the cash.
Since then I never go to bunk without installing bug screens on the companion way and on the hatch openingings.
The screens won't stop anybody bit smashing them will make enough noise for us to wake up and grab the million decibel air horn and a sharp knife.
Never had a problem, but then again we never anchor in Nassau anyway, it is a known rat-nest for boat thiefs and robbers and has been that way since I started sailing the Bahamas 17 years ago and probably long before that.

So what you're saying is the best theft deterrent was avoiding Nassau altogether.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by socaldmax

...There are beautiful places to go with low crime...

But there are some who are bad people just everywhere you go. So be prepared.

[rognvald]

Originally Posted by daletournier

Rognvald, What's my secret? Seriously? Maybe I just haven't filled my profile in? Maybe it's just not important to me? I could put "adventure sailor" like you have on your profile, would that be better?
Anyway complete thread thrift, I've stated my opinion , for what its worth and don't have anything more of value to add, I'll leave it at that. Have a nice day.
Cheers Dale.

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Dale,
I think my biography is quite complete based upon space limitations and to be certain there is no vagueness in the description "adventure sailor," let me define what it means to me. An adventure sailor:

1. engages in activities like diving, fishing, exploration, and sailing as
the main goal of cruising
2. seeks anchorages and cruising destinations that are off the beaten
path with no shoreside amenities(restaurants, bars, stores, etc.)that
are not on the checklist of "must sees": swimming pigs, James Bond
movie sets, funky local bars, Boo Boo Hill, etc. where my focus is
nature and the environment. . . not Barnum and Bailey
3. avoids shoreside cruisers' potlucks, beach volleyball, traveling with
the herd for passages, sailing to the groups' intenary, anchoring in
polluted anchorages that look like "The Villages" of Florida, and
sneaking into marinas at night to avoid paying $3.00 to dump your
garbage.
4. Always respects the rights of others and provides support and help
to other cruisers in need irrespective of my time
constraints or schedule.

I hope this helps you understand my use of the term "adventure sailor." I'm certain this description would hardly be appropriate in my biography. Good luck and safe sailing. Rognvald

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by socaldmax

So what you're saying is the best theft deterrent was avoiding Nassau altogether.

Been doing that for decades..

[CSY Man]

So what you're saying is the best theft deterrent was avoiding Nassau altogether.

Yup and it worked.
Only went to Nassau for fuel and water, then left again. Usually anchored of Rose Island.
Never had a problem.
(Knock on wood, it could happen to anybody anywhere, but the odds would be higher anchoring in a high risk place leaving the boat wide open then depending on fire arms to kill intruders. Even Rambo was not that stupid)

[MarkJ]

Nassau is a lovely city!

Don't miss it just because you are too weird to lock the door.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Jason Flare

How much can this guy expect to take if he swims to the boat naked?

He swims to the boat naked so he will have dry clothes to put on when he gets back to shore.

One thing he could take is your dinghy and motor.

[CSY Man]

. Nassau is a lovely city!

Hmm, not what I have heard.
Never have a need or want to explore the place, especially not from an anchorage.
Had to go there for work once or twice but that was it. Found some of the natives rude and the restaurant service slow.
With the Equisite Exumas next door there was never a reason to hang out in Nassau. (Probably a great place to buy drugs but trying to quit)

[RainDog]

Originally Posted by rwidman

He swims to the boat naked so he will have dry clothes to put on when he gets back to shore.

One thing he could take is your dinghy and motor.

Actually he can't. Naked dinghy driving is illegal in the Bahamas.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by RainDog

Actually he can't. Naked dinghy driving is illegal in the Bahamas.

But stealing isn't?



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