Venezuelan Navy intervention with US Sailboat provokes the loss of our vessel

[apueJbien]

Sailing Apuej Bien Blog: Accident in Los Roques

[sawingknots]

i'm glad you and your family are safe,dealing with foreign officials/citizens can be unpredictable,lets face it most of the world aren't a big fan of the u.s.,theres many innocent americans langishing in foreign jails with no hope of even a trial,i'll be interested in hearing the whole story,what ever the details i wouldn't expect any justice or even an official apoligy

[paulk]

It is eye-opening to see how fast a situation can change from setting sail to heading home. Sorry to hear about this, but glad you both will be able to tell us about it.

[apueJbien]

Sailing Apuej Bien Blog: Press Release Venezuelan Intervention with Apuejbien

[PCP]

I am very sorry for your loss.

When you can give us some more details please:

"demanded that they return to El Grand Roque Island, 15 miles east of the location they had been hailed, under VZ Coast Guard escort.
The series of events that followed resulted in their sailing vessel running aground; .... The escorting VZ Patrol Boat, which was directing the sailing vessel course of travel ..."

What was that serie of incidents? and what you mean by "directing the sailing vessel" other than telling you to return to El Grand Roque Island and escort you?

Regards

Paulo

[mdbee]

Venezuela

"Incidents of piracy off the coast of Venezuela remain a concern, and foreigners have been targeted. Attacks on foreign tourists in Venezuelan coastal waters and around Margarita Island have increased over the last several years. Recent attacks have been especially violent, including the murder of a U.S. citizen on his boat in November 2008, and the killing of a French yachter in September 2008. Previous violent attacks include the
severe beating of a U.S. citizen in 2002, the fatal shooting of an Italian citizen in January 2004, and a machete attack on a U.S. citizen in 2005. U.S. citizen yachters should note that anchoring off shore is not considered safe. Marinas, including those in Puerto la Cruz and Margarita Island (Porlamar), provide only minimal security, and U.S. citizens should exercise a heightened level of caution in Venezuelan waters. Please consult the U.S. Coast Guard website for additional information on sailing in Venezuela.

In addition to security concerns, yachters should be aware of registration and other required permits in order to anchor in Venezuelan marinas. U.S. citizens docking in Venezuela are strongly encouraged to check with local authorities regarding the proper documentation for their vessels and themselves.

Furthermore, rules governing the sale of fuel to foreign sailors in Venezuela vary by state. U.S. citizen yachters should inquire about specific state procedures prior to attempting to purchase fuel in any given location."

[Yorksailor]

This adds to the recent reports on the VHF in Bonaire of Venezuelan CG interference in the Aves.

A friend had to pay a $400 bribe on a Brit boat in Los Roches 3 months ago.

Phil

[Don0190]

a post of a link to something that tells you to wait for later to learn anything

[hellosailor]

Would you get in a taxi that was being driven by Hugo Chavez?

Then why on earth would you go to Venezuela, surely there are other ways to play with madmen and their empires.

[tdw]

Moderators warning ... this thread lurches perilously close to being counted as political. If it descends further into discussion of the rights and wrongs, the lefts and rights and the sanity or otherwise of Hugo Chavez it will end up being punted to Off Topic.

That said I too wonder why any American, given the discord twixt successive US administrations and the Chavez regime, would choose to go to Venezuela.