One Dead, one wounded in VZ piracy attack

[rah08]

My condolences to the family of Ken Peters. I have heard that this area has lately become dangerous. There was no way that Ken was able to avoid that attack since he thought they were friendlies.

VZ has gotten more dangerous due to the extreme poverty that some suffer and the luxury goods that cruisers have on them.

Sailors shoud be wary of approaching boats of criminal intentions. If the criminals can not board then they can not steal. I have heard the use of electric fenses and the need for watches to prevent theft while anchored.

Sailors and cruisers are friendly people and used to being approached with no ill intent. However that is changing in a lot of areas so being more watchful and wary is needed.

My admiration for Steve in reacting fast enough to prevent further injuries to their wives. The use of a shotgun is the commonly used defense weapon against robbery.

However in Somalia that is insufficient and more creative methods are needed.

Sailors unlike CCW holders in the States have to deal with port regulations that severly restrict the armament that can be carried on board. Shotguns are about the only allowable weapon in the Carribean.

Most countries have severe restrictions on guns that come in by boat and since yachts have to come into port sometime the storage of guns is a problem.

But yachters do have be aware that in many situation they are the only ones capable of saving themselves and that also means from robbers, rapists and pirates.


I personally used to travel by yacht in the US up and down the eastern seaboard in the 1970s and we had shotguns for sport and skeet not for defense, onboard with no problems. But we did not carry then when we went to the Bahamas.

So think carefully about the decision to carry weapons and research the port regulations of your intinerary. Sail safely.

Carry if you want but besides robbery and piracy you have the additional problem with the local law if guns are regulated.

Again condolences to the Perry family and hope that Steve recovers quickly.

[travler37]

Originally Posted by sab30

or do the next pirates bring more guns more people more ammo because who wouldnt bring a gun to a gun fight..do the next pirates start shooting first...

I cant begin to imagine what these people went through a those moments of sheer terror...

I struggle with this ethically....protection for your family or simply elevating the fight..

The stat remains those countries with the most guns in society (legit or not) have the highest rates of gun death..wouldnt that same stat apply in the sailing community..

My sympathies to these people who were simply out enjoying their dream...

You cant believe what they went trough because you have never ben in a gunfight.It sucks

Stats on countrys with the most guns legit or not i will buy.Depending on the agenda of the people taking the polls.Have you looked at the stats in england in blade/knife ER room problems?? Basically they are the same.Just problems in gun countrys are more terminal....Kill the bad guy so he can not fight another day.


Basics so far are unknown.Two boats together that were attacked.One shotgun was used....Some bad guys killed.One good guy KIA.

Do what you feal right in self protection.Obousily 911 was a little late for them.

My thoughts
Mark
PS..Lights a candle for the deceased.

[travler37]

Originally Posted by therapy23

Nah.

I don't think he really cares. Actually I think he has a little smile.

I do think that no tourists should go there for a while though.

Pass the word.

I for one dont think he cares eather.
In Hurracane season you have two choices as far as insurancce goes.North or south.Going South is a whole lot cheaper than going north.

Just remember you have no 911 to call.As you do North.Measure your chances and do what you feal is right for you.
Mark

[travler37]

Originally Posted by Rockter

In all the years I have sailed here in Scotland, there has never been a reported incident of piracy. There is the occasional theft, but none of those horrors. We have the Royal Navy too, if there ever was. The Irish, Welsh and English won't do it either, Norwegians won't, Danes won't, Germans won't.

You can arrive armed if you wish, but you will have to surrender the firearm when you arrive. You will get it back when you leave.

The weather is colder here, but you won't need an A/C. We will make you welcome too. It is probably only a bit further than Venezuela, and you can expect westerlies most of the way.

Pirates are the scum of the earth. A man is dead and only being armed would have defended him. Pirates are cowards. If you are armed, they will not be so courageous. They are savages. We are boat owners. Forget Venezuela. Avoid it.

Tips my hat to the Scotts,
you can also camp wherever you want as long as you close the gate behind you.A excertional country in my book.
Thank you for the great vacation
Mark

[justonemoreproject]

This is horrible. It makes me sure to carrya shotgun and revolver on board when I cruise to Mexico. I don't own guns now, I once had a 357 magnum when I lived in New Mexico because everyone else did. Having it around wasn't pleasant and I sold it when I moved to California because it seemed to increase paranoia about assaults. I think having one on a boat will be a downer. But then, being shot would be too. What a world we live in!!

[Rockter]

Come back again there Mark.
The "no trespass" law in Scotland takes Americans by surprise. Reasonable access is allowed just about anywhere.
PM me before you arrive next time, and you can have a sail on Loch Ness.

[Zanshin]

Originally Posted by justonemoreproject

..It makes me sure to carrya shotgun and revolver on board when I cruise to Mexico...

Not legally. See Mexican Gun Laws and realize that if you declare your shotgun to be compliant, it will most likely be kept by the authorities until such time as you check out of the country.

[lilsparkplug]

Sorry to hear this.8 years ago , I was boarded by 4 fisherman in the same place at 3am who requested food,smokes and oil for there lamp.They were Armed to the teeth (AK47s and shotgun),I complied and assisted them with whatever they requested.I was singlehanding at the time aboard my 40 ft cutter. They returned at 9am later during that same day and dropped off 3 jerry cans full of diesel as payback.This could have been a whole different story .Mochimo is also a No No for cruisers but they still seem to anchor there.