The death of a crew member on megayacht Cheetah Moon over the weekend has sparked outrage from St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA) that crimes related to the fragile yachting industry have escalated into brutality.
Association Treasurer Lorraine Talmi told The Daily Herald, “This is not the first time, nor, do I fear, will it be the last. In fact, this is the second time in a week that a crew member was abducted from the Simpson Bay area. The first one managed to escape, and perhaps that is why, if it is the same gang, the second one wasn’t nearly as lucky.”
The latest victim was a French national – the chef aboard the megayacht, who succumbed to his wounds in Martinique where he was airlifted after he was found on Mullet Bay Beach early Saturday morning.
An infuriated Talmi said that aside from the devastating consequences to the marine industry and to St. Maarten as a destination, this latest tragic incident “has far-reaching consequences to all of us personally. When will it be you or me? The people committing these crimes are not St. Maarteners. They are not productive members of our society. They are gangsters and criminals with unconscionable minds.”
“We don’t have the resources on-island to resolve these heinous crimes. We need help from abroad and we need to demand that it be provided, and that there is more police presence in our neighbourhoods, that something be done to deter crime at all levels. Otherwise, it doesn’t matter how successful we are or what ideas we have for the future, we will have a constantly-eroding base upon which to build it.”
For the complete story, go to www.thedailyherald.com.
I am considering buying a 38-40ft sloop. I would like to travel in the Caribbean. I am also a strong believer in the second amendmeny. I would not cruise with out at least a pistol on board and would carry a semi automiric rifle too. I know these are not permitted in many islands but I think these countries should take another look at their laws and make some amendments
Just remember that it is your (U.S.) Second Amendment – not any other country’s This person was killed on a popular swimming beach – do you expect to be allowed to go ashore in these countries carrying weapons with you?
Need more info. Was he shot or stabbed or beaten. A pepper spray pistol with two shots will stop a grizzly! Are these allowed on shore in the islands/ One must be prepared!
Reports of violence against the cruising community should result in a boycott of the island where such things happen. I know this sounds simplistic, but I just know that I will be bypassing any island that has a murderer still on the loose, and right now, St. Maarten is one of them. What stops it from happening again when the degenerate has already gotten away with it at least once, and possibly more?
In that case, maybe we should bypass America with pepper spay and guns ablazin’