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29 June 2010 - Website Update
The HISTORY page of this website has been updated to include a new sub-page, that of Passage Precautions, which includes information and instructions for filing a float plan for the Grenada-Trinidad route. Passage Precautions came about in direct response to the piracy attack on S/V Triton on 23 December 2009, but also in general response to an increase in reported incidents primarily in Venezuelan waters.
22 June 2010 - Clarification of Grenada Fees Increases
The changes in the Grenada cruising permit arise from a re-interpretation of the 2000 Yachting Act by the Customs Department. A letter was sent by the Deputy Controller to all Customs Supervisors dated 13 April 2010, giving the new regulations, and, depending on when that letter was received at the various ports of entry, the change was implemented over the next few days.
These changes apply to all foreign flagged yachts, regardless of the status of their owners (Grenadian nationals, residents, work permit holders, etc.). It came about in an attempt to increase income within the Customs Department whose budget is financially stretched; yacht clearance fees supposedly form a significant part of department revenue.
The fees can be paid when the yacht initially clears in to Grenada, or the captain can opt to pay the fee for one month, with the remainder due when he clears out. There will be no penalties for paying at the end of the stay and no refunds if the yacht clears out earlier than planned, having already paid for additional months. The cruising permit is valid for one month or until the yacht leaves Grenada, whichever is sooner. Thus, if the initial clearing is on 3 June, the cruising permit expires at the end of the day of 2 July.
What remains unclear at this point is the status of those yachts which had cleared in to Grenada prior to 13 April and that issue has been referred to the Minister of Finance. Those yachts may be required, upon clearing out, to pay retroactively to 13 April 2010, or to the beginning of 2010, or to their last entry date, or some other version.
While yachts stored on the hard in a boatyard are exempt from the fees for the calendar months of storage, there is also some question as to whether the same exemption will be applied to boats stored at marinas, or all boats at marinas (occupied or not). The exemption will not be extended to those boats stored on mooring buoys or at anchor under caretaking contracts.
Questions and/or requests for clarification should be directed to MAYAG (Marine and Yachting Association of Grenada), mayagadmin2@spiceisle.com <mailto:mayagadmin2@spiceisle.com>.
13 May 2010 - Grenada Fees Change
The following is a press release issued by the Marine and Yachting Association of Grenada (MAYAG):
“MAYAG PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: CHANGES TO CRUISING PERMITS IN GRENADA
St. George’s, May 13, 2010 - The Government of Grenada has reviewed fees for visiting yachts, and in line with much of the Caribbean, the cruising permit fee is now charged on a monthly rather than ‘one time’ basis.
The monthly cruising permit fees are as follows:
Length Overall of Yacht Fee EC$
Not exceeding 40 feet 50.00
Exceeding 40 feet but not exceeding 60 feet 75.00
Exceeding 60 feet but not exceeding 80 feet 100.00
Exceeding 80 feet 150.00
Complete months spent in boatyards are exempt from the above fees. MAYAG has requested that the exemption also be applied to time on the dock in marinas, as well as proposing an amnesty period for yachts already in Grenada with an old ‘one time’ cruising permit. MAYAG is awaiting confirmation from Customs on these requests, and we will publish more information as soon as it is available.
Overall, the tax and fee structure for yachts in Grenada is still favourable. Yachts in Transit pay only 2.5% on imported parts and supplies, and yacht services - including dockage and yard storage - for foreign flagged vessels are exempt from VAT.
For more information, please email MAYAG at mayagadmin2@gmail.com <mailto:mayagadmin2@gmail.com>.”
This is the end of the press release. As further information becomes available and questions are answered, watch for more news posted on this website.
29 April 2010 - The Curacao Rescue
From an official written dispatch dated 19 April 2010 sent to the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard by "Coast Guard, Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, Naval Base Perera, Willemstad, Curacao", and to several other Coast Guard Stations in the Caribbean. The Caribbean Safety and Security Net was informed by Donald Stollmeyer, Power Boats, Trinidad, following a meeting between him and the captain of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard on 28 April.
The name of the boat is "Spirit of Cologne II", home port Koln, Germany. It was attacked on Saturday 3rd April, one mile off the north coast of Venezuela along the Paria de Peninsula. The lady's name is Angelica Ropke-Wiels, German. During the attack her husband, Hans Jorgen Ropke was shot and killed. After the assailants left, Mrs. Ropke stayed on the boat trying to sail in a northerly direction for four days. As all communication equipment was removed she could contact no one. She eventually abandoned the boat in favor of her life raft and drifted away from the boat which was left floating and seemingly in good condition.
She was picked up on 16th April 2010 at approx 10.35am by the merchant vessel San Fernando at position 13 16 01N 67 51 01W, which transported her to the Curacao Coast Guard station. She was then medevaced by CITRO (Curacao volunteer search and rescue) to hospital, where she was met by the German consul for Curacao and treated for sun exposure and dehydration. The yacht was found on a reef in Los Roques, Venezuela, by the Venezuelan Coast Guard.
Comment: the Paria and Araya Peninsulas continue to be the single most dangerous cruising grounds in the Eastern Caribbean, based on some twelve years of tracking reports of crime against yachts. Sailors are urged to stay at least twenty miles (one individual suggested 100 miles) from this coast to avoid the potential of the armed robberies (and often assaults) which have been reported.
28 April 2010 - Security Update from St. Martin
This month’s report listing includes one report from St. Martin. The e-mail quoted the local police as saying that incidents of this type are on the increase, and I have received two additional e-mails during April mentioning several other incidents. Neither of those two e-mails was able to give sufficient detail to include in the report pages. However, based on those three, I suspect there are many more incidents in St. Martin/Sint Maarten than are being reported and cruisers visiting that island should take all appropriate precautions. And PLEASE report the incidents to the Caribbean Safety and Security Net so that other cruisers who follow can be forewarned.
25 April 2010: The Curacao Rescue Update
For the past week, there have been many e-mails, radio and telephone conversations, face-to-face meetings, and blogs about the events of 16 April in Curacao. Here is what we know thus far:
>> A woman was picked up on 16 April by a cargo vessel some 100 miles north of Curacao.
>> She was taken to the Coast Guard station in Curacao and then transferred to hospital.
>> She said that she had been adrift for thirteen days following a pirate attack on her yacht during which her partner was shot and killed.
>> The boat has been found on a reef in Los Roques with his body on board.
>> The German Net reports that the yacht cleared out of Carriacou on 1 April, and was an old, rusty, red steel vessel of about 10 meters, powered by an 8 horsepower outboard.
The incident is currently under investigation by the authorities in Curacao and Venezuela.
All other details that we have received are either not confirmed by a second report or in direct conflict with an earlier report. The most critical detail, the location of the incident, has not yet been released by the authorities.
Until such time as an official announcement is made, cruisers are urged not to indulge in speculation nor listen to rumors about what may have occurred. When an official announcement is made, the full details will be published here and announced on the Caribbean Safety and Security Net.
23 April 2010 - MRCC telephone number correction
After needing to reach MRCC in Martinique by phone and not being able to get through, I did some investigation. The phone number that is listed on the NEED HELP page of this website is incorrect. The correct number for those dialing from outside of Martinique is 011-596-596-709292 rather than 719292 as listed. Likewise, the number for MRCC in Guadeloupe is 011-590-590-709292. I will correct the NEED HELP page as soon as possible.
10 April 2010 - New website for Steve Pavlidis
Steve Pavlidis, who has written cruising guides for the Bahamas and many areas of the Caribbean, is closing his old site, Islandhopping.com, effective the end of October of this year. He and his publisher have created a new site called Seaworthy.com. Steve will be monitoring this site daily and updating it with news as well as security issues for the Bahamas and the Caribbean. This site will be particularly helpful in its coverage of security concerns in the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean, those areas which the Caribbean Safety and Security Net has sketchy coverage. There is a link to this new site on the OTHER SITES page.
9 April 2010 - Grenada Security Meeting Press Release (MAYAG)
CRUISERS ATTEND CRIME PREVENTION MEETING IN GRENADA
St. George’s, April 9, 2010
In March, Cruisers were given the opportunity to meet directly with Senior Members of the Royal Grenada Police Force to exchange information about how the safety and security presently enjoyed by Cruisers in Grenada’s waters can be enhanced and preserved. The informative and positive meeting organized by the Marine and Yachting Association of Grenada, included a review of marine vessel related crimes in 2009 and 2010, feedback from cruisers about their experiences, discussion about crime prevention measures, as well a number of ideas about how the police and cruisers could work together more for the benefit of all.
Highlights of the meeting included a review of 10 crimes (primarily theft) reported to police involving sea going vessels (commercial and recreational) in 2009 and the 5 incidents reported in 2010 so far. The police also reported that of the 10 crimes reported in 2010 (sic) only four remained unsolved. The general consensus among the audience members and the panelists is that crime reporting is good and accurate in Grenada, based on evidence and feedback available. MAYAG also recommends reporting to the Caribbean Safety and Security Net, which is an online forum for this specific purpose. MAYAG President, Anita Sutton, also advised cruisers that incidents can also be reported to MAYAG to provide assistance to victims with follow up and item recovery where possible.
Recommendations coming forth from the meeting included recommending improvement in communications between RGPF Divisions and Investigators; developing a yacht watch programme where cruisers keep an eye out for each other while in anchorages; and filing float plans with the Coast Guard in Grenada as well as the nearest sailing destination before departure (such as Trinidad or St. Vincent). The Coast Guard phone numbers (473) 444-1931/1932/2674 were provided as well as 911.
Response time for emergencies was also raised and information clarified. The Grenada Coast Guard has a very small fleet of 6 vessels with only two of those in operation. The Coast Guard reported their response time to an off-shore emergency is 20 minutes for a 30 mile radius. However the vessel enabling this response time was on dry dock at the time of the meeting, but was expected to be back in the water soon. In addition, a Regional Security Treaty exists that enables cooperation between the Coast Guard Services in the Eastern Caribbean. MAYAG has been communicating with YSATT as well as the Trinidad Coast Guard who are in a lot better position to respond. They now have fast patrol vessels and are about to receive 2 large vessels with helicopter facilities.
The discussion included approximately 50 cruisers, and panelists; Superintendant Belfon, RGPF; Inspector Thomas, RGPF; Troy Garvey, RGPF; Anita Sutton, MAYAG and James Pascall of MAYAG. Special thanks are extended to De Big Fish Restaurant in Prickly Bay, St. George’s for offering the venue for the meeting free of charge. MAYAG would also like to extend a very special thank you to all the participants for their participation and enthusiasm and for the very generous offer to assist with fundraising to enhance Grenada’s Coast Guard services.
6 April 2010 - San Blas Fees
The Congresso of Kuna Yala has imposed a $20 monthly fee for a Cruising Permit for a boat to stay in the San Blas Islands. They also have levied a $2 per person, per month fee for each human on the boat. They come out in an official yellow boat with the Kuna Flag, a black reverse swastika on a yellow and red field and issued a very official receipt, the copy for them in NCR paper. The group who visited on Easter Sunday at around 12:30 consisted of an official from the Congresso, a translator, who only spoke Spanish, an armed military police type guy, and a boat captain who actually did speak a little English. It was all very relaxed and friendly.
One must still physically leave Panama every three months and check in and out, also paying about $70 for a maximum 3 month cruising permit for Panama. If boats clear in Porvenir and pay the proper fee to the Kuna Official there, then they only need show their receipt, if the official boat comes to collect. There have been some problems with the officials in Porvenir charging only $24 for three months, with these roving officials that visited trying to charge additional funds from boats, but with little success. It may very well be that the fee structure was changed in the past month and not everyone is on the same game plan for now.
Following a revolt about eighty-five years ago by the Kunas against the Panamanian government, a truce was brokered giving autonomy to the Kuna. They live on the reservation of their choosing, their homeland. Panama law is the rule but there is a Kuna Congresso that makes laws for all Kuna Yala and several chiefs govern each village, which are very independent themselves
1 April 2010: Trinidad Emergency and Weather Net
Eric Mackie, who has led this net for many years, now has scheduling issues with his job requirements, having to leave for his office by 7 a.m. This timing has forced Eric to close down the Trinidad Emergency and Weather Net for the foreseeable future.
The HISTORY page of this website has been updated to include a new sub-page, that of Passage Precautions, which includes information and instructions for filing a float plan for the Grenada-Trinidad route. Passage Precautions came about in direct response to the piracy attack on S/V Triton on 23 December 2009, but also in general response to an increase in reported incidents primarily in Venezuelan waters.
22 June 2010 - Clarification of Grenada Fees Increases
The changes in the Grenada cruising permit arise from a re-interpretation of the 2000 Yachting Act by the Customs Department. A letter was sent by the Deputy Controller to all Customs Supervisors dated 13 April 2010, giving the new regulations, and, depending on when that letter was received at the various ports of entry, the change was implemented over the next few days.
These changes apply to all foreign flagged yachts, regardless of the status of their owners (Grenadian nationals, residents, work permit holders, etc.). It came about in an attempt to increase income within the Customs Department whose budget is financially stretched; yacht clearance fees supposedly form a significant part of department revenue.
The fees can be paid when the yacht initially clears in to Grenada, or the captain can opt to pay the fee for one month, with the remainder due when he clears out. There will be no penalties for paying at the end of the stay and no refunds if the yacht clears out earlier than planned, having already paid for additional months. The cruising permit is valid for one month or until the yacht leaves Grenada, whichever is sooner. Thus, if the initial clearing is on 3 June, the cruising permit expires at the end of the day of 2 July.
What remains unclear at this point is the status of those yachts which had cleared in to Grenada prior to 13 April and that issue has been referred to the Minister of Finance. Those yachts may be required, upon clearing out, to pay retroactively to 13 April 2010, or to the beginning of 2010, or to their last entry date, or some other version.
While yachts stored on the hard in a boatyard are exempt from the fees for the calendar months of storage, there is also some question as to whether the same exemption will be applied to boats stored at marinas, or all boats at marinas (occupied or not). The exemption will not be extended to those boats stored on mooring buoys or at anchor under caretaking contracts.
Questions and/or requests for clarification should be directed to MAYAG (Marine and Yachting Association of Grenada), mayagadmin2@spiceisle.com <mailto:mayagadmin2@spiceisle.com>.
13 May 2010 - Grenada Fees Change
The following is a press release issued by the Marine and Yachting Association of Grenada (MAYAG):
“MAYAG PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: CHANGES TO CRUISING PERMITS IN GRENADA
St. George’s, May 13, 2010 - The Government of Grenada has reviewed fees for visiting yachts, and in line with much of the Caribbean, the cruising permit fee is now charged on a monthly rather than ‘one time’ basis.
The monthly cruising permit fees are as follows:
Length Overall of Yacht Fee EC$
Not exceeding 40 feet 50.00
Exceeding 40 feet but not exceeding 60 feet 75.00
Exceeding 60 feet but not exceeding 80 feet 100.00
Exceeding 80 feet 150.00
Complete months spent in boatyards are exempt from the above fees. MAYAG has requested that the exemption also be applied to time on the dock in marinas, as well as proposing an amnesty period for yachts already in Grenada with an old ‘one time’ cruising permit. MAYAG is awaiting confirmation from Customs on these requests, and we will publish more information as soon as it is available.
Overall, the tax and fee structure for yachts in Grenada is still favourable. Yachts in Transit pay only 2.5% on imported parts and supplies, and yacht services - including dockage and yard storage - for foreign flagged vessels are exempt from VAT.
For more information, please email MAYAG at mayagadmin2@gmail.com <mailto:mayagadmin2@gmail.com>.”
This is the end of the press release. As further information becomes available and questions are answered, watch for more news posted on this website.
29 April 2010 - The Curacao Rescue
From an official written dispatch dated 19 April 2010 sent to the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard by "Coast Guard, Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, Naval Base Perera, Willemstad, Curacao", and to several other Coast Guard Stations in the Caribbean. The Caribbean Safety and Security Net was informed by Donald Stollmeyer, Power Boats, Trinidad, following a meeting between him and the captain of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard on 28 April.
The name of the boat is "Spirit of Cologne II", home port Koln, Germany. It was attacked on Saturday 3rd April, one mile off the north coast of Venezuela along the Paria de Peninsula. The lady's name is Angelica Ropke-Wiels, German. During the attack her husband, Hans Jorgen Ropke was shot and killed. After the assailants left, Mrs. Ropke stayed on the boat trying to sail in a northerly direction for four days. As all communication equipment was removed she could contact no one. She eventually abandoned the boat in favor of her life raft and drifted away from the boat which was left floating and seemingly in good condition.
She was picked up on 16th April 2010 at approx 10.35am by the merchant vessel San Fernando at position 13 16 01N 67 51 01W, which transported her to the Curacao Coast Guard station. She was then medevaced by CITRO (Curacao volunteer search and rescue) to hospital, where she was met by the German consul for Curacao and treated for sun exposure and dehydration. The yacht was found on a reef in Los Roques, Venezuela, by the Venezuelan Coast Guard.
Comment: the Paria and Araya Peninsulas continue to be the single most dangerous cruising grounds in the Eastern Caribbean, based on some twelve years of tracking reports of crime against yachts. Sailors are urged to stay at least twenty miles (one individual suggested 100 miles) from this coast to avoid the potential of the armed robberies (and often assaults) which have been reported.
28 April 2010 - Security Update from St. Martin
This month’s report listing includes one report from St. Martin. The e-mail quoted the local police as saying that incidents of this type are on the increase, and I have received two additional e-mails during April mentioning several other incidents. Neither of those two e-mails was able to give sufficient detail to include in the report pages. However, based on those three, I suspect there are many more incidents in St. Martin/Sint Maarten than are being reported and cruisers visiting that island should take all appropriate precautions. And PLEASE report the incidents to the Caribbean Safety and Security Net so that other cruisers who follow can be forewarned.
25 April 2010: The Curacao Rescue Update
For the past week, there have been many e-mails, radio and telephone conversations, face-to-face meetings, and blogs about the events of 16 April in Curacao. Here is what we know thus far:
>> A woman was picked up on 16 April by a cargo vessel some 100 miles north of Curacao.
>> She was taken to the Coast Guard station in Curacao and then transferred to hospital.
>> She said that she had been adrift for thirteen days following a pirate attack on her yacht during which her partner was shot and killed.
>> The boat has been found on a reef in Los Roques with his body on board.
>> The German Net reports that the yacht cleared out of Carriacou on 1 April, and was an old, rusty, red steel vessel of about 10 meters, powered by an 8 horsepower outboard.
The incident is currently under investigation by the authorities in Curacao and Venezuela.
All other details that we have received are either not confirmed by a second report or in direct conflict with an earlier report. The most critical detail, the location of the incident, has not yet been released by the authorities.
Until such time as an official announcement is made, cruisers are urged not to indulge in speculation nor listen to rumors about what may have occurred. When an official announcement is made, the full details will be published here and announced on the Caribbean Safety and Security Net.
23 April 2010 - MRCC telephone number correction
After needing to reach MRCC in Martinique by phone and not being able to get through, I did some investigation. The phone number that is listed on the NEED HELP page of this website is incorrect. The correct number for those dialing from outside of Martinique is 011-596-596-709292 rather than 719292 as listed. Likewise, the number for MRCC in Guadeloupe is 011-590-590-709292. I will correct the NEED HELP page as soon as possible.
10 April 2010 - New website for Steve Pavlidis
Steve Pavlidis, who has written cruising guides for the Bahamas and many areas of the Caribbean, is closing his old site, Islandhopping.com, effective the end of October of this year. He and his publisher have created a new site called Seaworthy.com. Steve will be monitoring this site daily and updating it with news as well as security issues for the Bahamas and the Caribbean. This site will be particularly helpful in its coverage of security concerns in the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean, those areas which the Caribbean Safety and Security Net has sketchy coverage. There is a link to this new site on the OTHER SITES page.
9 April 2010 - Grenada Security Meeting Press Release (MAYAG)
CRUISERS ATTEND CRIME PREVENTION MEETING IN GRENADA
St. George’s, April 9, 2010
In March, Cruisers were given the opportunity to meet directly with Senior Members of the Royal Grenada Police Force to exchange information about how the safety and security presently enjoyed by Cruisers in Grenada’s waters can be enhanced and preserved. The informative and positive meeting organized by the Marine and Yachting Association of Grenada, included a review of marine vessel related crimes in 2009 and 2010, feedback from cruisers about their experiences, discussion about crime prevention measures, as well a number of ideas about how the police and cruisers could work together more for the benefit of all.
Highlights of the meeting included a review of 10 crimes (primarily theft) reported to police involving sea going vessels (commercial and recreational) in 2009 and the 5 incidents reported in 2010 so far. The police also reported that of the 10 crimes reported in 2010 (sic) only four remained unsolved. The general consensus among the audience members and the panelists is that crime reporting is good and accurate in Grenada, based on evidence and feedback available. MAYAG also recommends reporting to the Caribbean Safety and Security Net, which is an online forum for this specific purpose. MAYAG President, Anita Sutton, also advised cruisers that incidents can also be reported to MAYAG to provide assistance to victims with follow up and item recovery where possible.
Recommendations coming forth from the meeting included recommending improvement in communications between RGPF Divisions and Investigators; developing a yacht watch programme where cruisers keep an eye out for each other while in anchorages; and filing float plans with the Coast Guard in Grenada as well as the nearest sailing destination before departure (such as Trinidad or St. Vincent). The Coast Guard phone numbers (473) 444-1931/1932/2674 were provided as well as 911.
Response time for emergencies was also raised and information clarified. The Grenada Coast Guard has a very small fleet of 6 vessels with only two of those in operation. The Coast Guard reported their response time to an off-shore emergency is 20 minutes for a 30 mile radius. However the vessel enabling this response time was on dry dock at the time of the meeting, but was expected to be back in the water soon. In addition, a Regional Security Treaty exists that enables cooperation between the Coast Guard Services in the Eastern Caribbean. MAYAG has been communicating with YSATT as well as the Trinidad Coast Guard who are in a lot better position to respond. They now have fast patrol vessels and are about to receive 2 large vessels with helicopter facilities.
The discussion included approximately 50 cruisers, and panelists; Superintendant Belfon, RGPF; Inspector Thomas, RGPF; Troy Garvey, RGPF; Anita Sutton, MAYAG and James Pascall of MAYAG. Special thanks are extended to De Big Fish Restaurant in Prickly Bay, St. George’s for offering the venue for the meeting free of charge. MAYAG would also like to extend a very special thank you to all the participants for their participation and enthusiasm and for the very generous offer to assist with fundraising to enhance Grenada’s Coast Guard services.
6 April 2010 - San Blas Fees
The Congresso of Kuna Yala has imposed a $20 monthly fee for a Cruising Permit for a boat to stay in the San Blas Islands. They also have levied a $2 per person, per month fee for each human on the boat. They come out in an official yellow boat with the Kuna Flag, a black reverse swastika on a yellow and red field and issued a very official receipt, the copy for them in NCR paper. The group who visited on Easter Sunday at around 12:30 consisted of an official from the Congresso, a translator, who only spoke Spanish, an armed military police type guy, and a boat captain who actually did speak a little English. It was all very relaxed and friendly.
One must still physically leave Panama every three months and check in and out, also paying about $70 for a maximum 3 month cruising permit for Panama. If boats clear in Porvenir and pay the proper fee to the Kuna Official there, then they only need show their receipt, if the official boat comes to collect. There have been some problems with the officials in Porvenir charging only $24 for three months, with these roving officials that visited trying to charge additional funds from boats, but with little success. It may very well be that the fee structure was changed in the past month and not everyone is on the same game plan for now.
Following a revolt about eighty-five years ago by the Kunas against the Panamanian government, a truce was brokered giving autonomy to the Kuna. They live on the reservation of their choosing, their homeland. Panama law is the rule but there is a Kuna Congresso that makes laws for all Kuna Yala and several chiefs govern each village, which are very independent themselves
1 April 2010: Trinidad Emergency and Weather Net
Eric Mackie, who has led this net for many years, now has scheduling issues with his job requirements, having to leave for his office by 7 a.m. This timing has forced Eric to close down the Trinidad Emergency and Weather Net for the foreseeable future.