As reported by the Caribbean Navigator.
The owner and sole occupant of the boat were asleep in the forward berth but woke up to find himself being choked. He initially struggled even though the assailant was much younger and more powerful.
However, there was a second assailant who was holding a gun, so resistance stopped. The owner was blinded by a cloth over his head as the thieves ransacked the boat.
They took all the valuable electronics, phones, personal computers, cameras, etc. They demanded cocaine and money. There were no drugs but the owner cooperated in handing over a significant number of American dollars.
The thieves tied up the owner and were going to take the dinghy and motor. However, it was suspended in davits and chained to the arch, so they must have decided it was too difficult and left it.
Once they’d gone, the owner untied himself and notified the police.
Notes from a further conversation (January 18) with the reporting vessel’s skipper:
- The vessel’s cockpit was illuminated by a solar LuciLite.
- The boarding occurred on their second night at anchor in Buccament Bay.
- The skipper had locked up the vessel on the first night, but feeling more comfortable with the situation, had left the companionway closed but unlocked on the night of the attack.
- Both vessel’s crew had visited and toured ashore the day before and had acquainted themselves with many Vincentians living in the area. The islanders were unhappy to hear about this violent armed robbery.
- The two assailants reportedly stole a small fishing boat from a nearby bay to access the two anchored yachts.
- From the reporting skipper:
Q. Did the attackers flee due to any action on the part of your buddy boat?
A. No. The thieves actually went to their boat first and (they) awoke and confronted them. They said they were fishermen looking for some water, at 2 am! X and Y thought they’d left, and they did, but they returned. Y tried to contact me (VHF), but I slept through her calls.
NOTE from CSSN Report
The thieves had attempted to board the other yacht earlier the same night but were not successful when the owners awoke and were able to discourage the two men. VHF calls to their buddy boat (victim above), were not answered.
The incident happened at about 0230 on 16 January 2022.
