Cruising in the Caribbean is usually peaceful and relaxed. The people of most of the islands are friendly and glad to have cruisers visiting their harbors and spending money in their stores and boat yards. But, like anywhere, even in the Caribbean there are a few bad apples. Check out these precautions that can keep you safe.
By Suzanne Wentley
While the rest of the world is worried about terrorism, it’s easy to feel safe from attacks when living aboard out at sea. Days go by without seeing another boat. The vast majority of cruisers never have to be concerned with safety; thousands of good-hearted people have wonderful years living aboard their sailboats and powerboats. But Christina “Tina” Curtin, who, along with her guy Mark Beiser, had a very different experience.
Bad guys exist everywhere—but inexpensive, simple preventative methods are all that are needed to keep liveaboards safe at sea. Tina and Mark are seasoned cruisers, having lived aboard their 39-foot Westerly Sealord ketch Rainbow for years. They loved snorkeling, fishing and relaxing in beautiful anchorages throughout the Caribbean.
Then came the one fateful day a few years ago, which started with them exploring Clifton Harbor and Frigate Rock off Union Island, a nearly uninhabited part of the chain of islands that make up St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It was that evening when their idea of safety up-ended itself. Read more.
