Please select your home edition
Edition
Vaikobi 2024 LEADERBOARD

Problems for visiting yachts continue in Canouan

by caribbeannewsnow.com on 16 Sep 2015
Problems for visiting yachts continue in Canouan TerraMetrics
The situation for visiting yachts in Canouan in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has not improved, Caribbean Safety and Security Net CSSN) reported. CSSN said it has received yet another report of a boarding and theft against a yacht in Charlestown Bay (the tenth reported) for this small and not frequently visited location.

On September 8, while the owners were ashore for dinner at the Tamarind Beach Hotel, their catamaran was boarded and the outside refrigerator was emptied of foods/drinks. The incident reported by phone to the hotel, who indicated they would alert the Coast Guard.

“Someone had to board the boat when we went into the Tamarind Hotel for dinner just after sunset or when we entered the Wine Shop. Some food was eaten and the empty containers put back in the fridge and the majority of other items were taken. We were anchored where the boat could be seen from the restaurant, so it had to have happened right at sundown or when we went in the store because we could see the boat the majority of the time. Luckily the rest of the boat was locked and no other large items outside were taken (scuba tank or fishing pole),” the owners reported.

On July 20, 2015, CSSN emailed the SVG commissioner of police, Michael Charles, and copied a number of other involved SVG officials, including the ministry of national security, SVG Maritime Affairs, National Commission on Crime Prevention, and the SVG Office of Tourism outlining the problem, requesting assistance and asking for specific instructions about what victims should do in the case of a boarding/theft.

No response was received.

On August 3, the same email was resent to all the same officials and asked additionally for confirmation of receipt. The only response received was from the National Commission on Crime Prevention (NCCP) on August 6, and that same day CSSN asked NCCP to ensure all the other parties were informed and a response generated.

Again, no response was received.

On August 25, CSSN contacted Sally Erdle, the editor of the Caribbean Compass, asking for guidance and assistance. Erdle then sent an email to various SVG parties, (attaching the above content) including not only Charles, but also many governmental as well as business, press and tourism interests.

Again, no response has been received.

On September 7, CSSN contacted Godfrey Pompey, the permanent secretary for the ministry of national security, whose responsibilities include public affairs.

Again, no response has been received.

“It seems clear that, if you choose to visit Canouan, you should expect to be boarded, and that you should not expect any response from officials there or from those in SVG when you are. Whether SVG officials are uninterested or unwilling to respond to this persistent problem in the yachting tourism sector is impossible to know,” CSSN said, advising visiting yachts to plan their travels accordingly.
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER2024 fill-in (bottom)Vetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTER

Related Articles

Armstrong Foils announce the Alloy System
The Alloy System is signature Armstrong but in a different price range than carbon Armstrong Foils announce their first non-carbon mast and fuselage. Gorgeous design, manufacturing finish and riding performance that's signature Armstrong but in a different price range than carbon. Three mast and two fuselage lengths to choose from.
Posted today at 10:10 am
INEOS Britannia's new AC75 Race Boat revealed
The first time the AC75 had been in full public view INEOS Britannia, the British Challenger of Record representing Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd for the 37th America's Cup, has revealed its AC75 race boat for the very first time.
Posted today at 7:47 am
Five sailors selected for Paris 2024
Young guns ready for action On the shores of the Mediterranean Sea not far from the Olympic waters of Marseille, the Australian Olympic Team announced five sailors for the upcoming Olympic Games.
Posted today at 6:19 am
35th Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta Day 2
Better every day The second race day of the 35th Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta was a vast improvement with a gentle 7-8 knots of breeze from the South-East, and with the flat seas from the previous calmer day made it almost perfect sailing conditions.
Posted today at 1:38 am
5.5 Metre Alpen Cup at Fraglia Vela Riva Day 2
Mortons set the pace on Lake Garda The Jean Genie (GBR 43, Peter Morton, Andrew Palfrey, Ruairidh Scott) extended their lead at the 2024 5.5 Metre Alpen Cup at Riva del Garda after the second day of racing, which brought significantly more wind.
Posted on 19 Apr
Sail Port Stephens Passage Series Day 4
Down to the wire on a sparkling day "Sheer enjoyment". That's how Nicky Bethwaite summed-up her experience of the combination inshore/offshore course set by the Race Committee for the fourth race of the five race Passage Series.
Posted on 19 Apr
UpWind by MerConcept announces 7 female athletes
For the inaugural season of Ocean Fifty Racing After four days of physical and mental tests, individual interviews, and on-water racing, seven female athletes have been selected to join the very first UpWind by MerConcept racing team.
Posted on 19 Apr
Last Chance for 2024 Olympic Qualification
Starting this weekend at the Semaine Olympique Française The Last Chance Regatta, held during the 55th edition of Semaine Olympique Française (Franch Olympic Week) from 20-27 April in Hyères, France, is as it says – the last chance.
Posted on 19 Apr
35th Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta Day 1
Easy start to an exciting week The 35th Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta got off to a slow start today with unusual calm southerly winds which prompted the race committee to shorten the Old Road course.
Posted on 19 Apr
5.5 Metre Alpen Cup at Fraglia Vela Riva Day 1
Cold start but hot racing on Lake Garda, Italy The Jean Genie (GBR 43, Peter Morton, Andrew Palfrey, Ruairidh Scott) won two out of three races on the opening day of the 2024 5.5 Metre Alpen Cup, on Thursday, which is being hosted by the first time by Fraglia Vela Riva.
Posted on 18 Apr