July 8, 2012 – Portobelo (Panama)
Violent attacks on boats… you think it’s not really going to happen, not to anyone you know, and certainly not to you. And then, one morning, you hear the report on the VHF or the SSB… as we did this morning. And it happened to a friend of us in a place we are very familiar with. Suddenly, violence hits home.
Last night, at the general anchorage in Bocas del Toro, just off the Bocas Marina, two boats were attacked. One boat, “Uhane,” made a lot of noise and scared the attackers away, suffering no damage. The other, “Sunshine,” with 2 friends of ours on board, was devastated. The owner of the boat was beat up and tied up, his female companion tied and raped, and the boat got ransacked. The attackers, two short black males, got away with the couple’s dinghy and all their possessions.
Needless to say, this is the shock to the laid-back and close-knit Bocas yachting community. The yachties are gathering forces and meeting with the municipality this week. But too late for our friends on Sunshine.
Security. How can we protect ourselves?
- First, never take any anchorage security for granted: attacks can happen anywhere;
- Second, close all doors and hatches at night unless they are equipped with crossbars and/or electronic alarm systems;
- Third, turn the alarm on if you have one;
- Fourth, keep a hand-held VHF radio and a whistle under your pillow: make noise and call for help.
Attacks can happen anytime, anywhere, and may happen to us some day. Let’s be prepared at all times. Of course, this is not what we dream of when we set out cruising, but it’s part of the dangers, along with hurricanes and lightning strikes.
Be careful, out-there! Until next time…
dominomarie
