November 24, 2012
Las Brisas de Amador
Panama City, Panama
 |
| Sunrise in Las Brisas de Amador brought us the harrowing story of NARVAL |
“Armed robbery in Panama again.”
Silly how we, cruisers, can get lulled into a false sense of security. Just a few months ago, I reported on an vicious attack on board the yacht SUNSHINE in Bocas del Toro. But since then, the VHF and SSB nets have been quiet, without Securité or Emergency calls, or at least nothing beyond the all-too-frequent dinghy and engine thefts.
That was until last week when the German yacht NARWAL dropped the hook behind us in Las Brisas de Amador (Panama City) and made a Securité announcement: they had just been robbed while at anchor off of Point Chame. By the numbers?
- 2100 – time of attack
- 2 pangas
- 4 young, athletic men
- 4 guns
- $8,000 of stolen property
 |
| The Panamean AERONAVAL is not always anchored next to you! |
Once more, I must raise the issue and ask you to ponder the scenario. What would YOU do if 2 pangas sidled up to your hull at 9PM? Would you go get them some water? We are so nice, aren’t we? So ready to help our fellow man! So eager to respond to the plight of the poor fisherman!
Think of simple solutions that do not involve weapons (in a first response.)
- Run back inside, lock yourself up and make a lot of noise. Some cruisers have installed panic buttons that activate loud alarms and floodlights. Car-alarm types of sirens run on 12V and only costs a few dollars. Honk your horns, blow your whistles, make some noise!
- Get on the VHF and make a Securité call on both CH16 and the local cruisers channel (here, VHF 74).
- Check that all your hatches are latched.
If you don’t have an alarm system, think of installing one. No, don’t THINK of installing one, just DO it. Your wallet depends on it, as well as your life.
If you are the only boat anchored in an isolated spot, consider locking yourself up after sunset and open to absolutely no one, for absolutely no reason.
As for us, even though we rely on our PARADOX MAGELLAN system, we are still weary when we anchor in isolated spots, never fully asleep, making sure not to hit the rum bottle on those lonely nights! Just two months ago, while on the hook at Isla Espiritu Santo (Las Perlas) the low rumble of an engine on our starboard pulled me out of bed at 2230. I checked that all doors and hatches were locked and, without turning any light on, made my way to the galley. As I peered out, I breathed a sight of relief at the sight of the AERONAVAL’s stealth speed boat loaded with half-a-dozen drug-patrol guys in full assault gear. They were just checking us out, and I stayed put in the galley, by our 3’x4’ panoramic window, stark naked, when the bowman decided to shine its powerful searchlight directly on us. Surprise! I coolly waved at them, they coolly waved back, and went off on their merry way. Lucky for us, our visitors were not looking to do us any harm and I had no problem with them looking inside the boat. I wouldn't feel the same way if the night visitor had some harmful intention. Next time, I’ll make sure to pull the drapes shut!
Here are excerpts of the message I received from NARWAL.
“We are a German family cruising with 2 children, 3 and 6 years old…. We don’t own a fancy boat, as ours is an old 40 ft steel lady.
[The attack] happened on our lonely anchorage between Punta Chame and Isla Taborcilla Nov. 12. 2012. Around 9PM two lanchas with powerful outboards … pulled alongside our boat. My husband was reading in the front and our children were sleeping in the back cabin, so I went outside to see what was going on and one of the men asked me for some drinking water. Not an unusual request… Just the time was unusual.
So I… went down to get a bottle of water when I heard steps on the deck. My husband heard them as well and got up but one man was already rushing down to the salon, a pistol in his hand, shouting, looking for drugs. When he arrived at the front cabin the second man with a pistol pointing at us entered the salon and we were trapped between the two. A third guy with a pistol in his hand looked down from the companionway and a 4th person was in the cockpit.
They were screaming around and asked us for money, which we gave them directly… The financial damage comes to around 8,000 US$ but they didn't hurt us in any way and didn't disturb… the children in their cabin…. (there will be more posted soon at noonsite.com)
Bente & Arnd and the children Siri & Lars”
Be vigilant!
Until next blog,
dominomarie
