PASSAGE PRECAUTIONS
In view of the December 2009 robbery and assault of the yacht
enroute from Trinidad to Grenada (details of which are on the Southern
Windwards link from ISLAND REPORTS), and the various reports of similar
incidents in the same area and in Venezuelan
waters over the past several years, there are some very specific precautions
which cruisers can take to avoid or minimize attempts against them.
The Trinidad Coast Guard advises that pirogues are
active from the south coast of Grenada and moving out to the north and east of
Tobago to move marijuana to Toco at the northeast corner of Trinidad. The
pirogues are active around the gas drilling rigs as these are used as landmarks
for boats without navigation equipment. However, the pirogues range all over
the area, from the north coast of Venezuela to Tobago and to the south coast of
Grenada.
Efforts
to interdict drugs are underway in this area and cruisers should be aware of
the potential for running into smugglers and / or authorities who may mistake
their innocent activities for something criminal. The area off the northeast coast of Trinidad is patrolled for fisheries
protection and drug interdiction activities. These patrol vessels are often
unmarked and the crew may not be in uniform, so it is difficult for the cruiser
to determine their intentions.
Please bear in mind that there has been only one incident reported
on the Trinidad/Grenada route, although there have been four additional reports
of attempts (unsuccessful) in the past two years. In view of the large numbers
of yachts which make this passage each year, the chances of a piracy attempt
are very small but those who do sail this route should take every possible
precaution. There are two gas drilling
platforms in the area: Hibiscus at 11-08.8N 61.39.0W and Poinsettia at 11-13.9N
61-31.4W. Both monitor VHF 16 and have, in the past relayed calls to the
Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard.
These tips are taken from notes from cruisers and from the precautions
page on this website and in some
cases, the suggestions are in contradiction with each other: each vessel should
make individual choices.
1.
Think about a response plan before it is
needed, with the emphasis on scaring away intruders (and this is certainly
appropriate for yachts at anchor as well as those underway). THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PREPARATION A CRUISER CAN MAKE. Think about
evasive maneuvers, first aid kit for possible injuries, response to fire aboard
(e.g. gas cans hit by gunfire), where is the crew to shelter, can / should any
further resistance to boarding be made (flare guns, sprays, etc.), how to
initiate a distress call, use of lights and flares, and communication with
other vessels and/or law enforcement authorities.
2.
Consider traveling in a group, maintaining
VHF or SSB contact on a regular schedule throughout the trip. Use a VHF channel
other than 16 for group check-ins, but monitor both that channel and channel
16.
3.
Since all the reports of boardings and
attempted boardings have occurred during the day, travel at night. Some have
suggested that you travel with no lights; however, that has its own inherent
dangers. Your RADAR is of little use to detect these pirogues as they are
usually wooden boats and will not show up on RADAR.
4.
Sail as far east
of the rhum line as possible, away from the locations of the previous reports,
although that route means there are fewer other vessels to come to your aid if
you need help.
5.
Don’t discuss your departure plans (time
and destination) with strangers on shore. Don’t describe your yacht to
strangers: current location, name, number of people on board, whether or not
you are armed.
6.
Separate and hide valuables in multiple
unpredictable areas on board, including passports and boat papers. Hide a copy
of passports and boat papers in a different spot. If possible, hide a spare GPS
and handheld VHF radio. Maintain a list of serial numbers of all equipment,
keep it up to date when you add new equipment, and hide a copy of that list.
7.
Make two copies of the contents of all
wallets: credit cards (both sides),
licenses, etc. Send one copy to a contact and home and hide one copy along with
the copy of the passports. Be sure to have telephone numbers for the credit
card companies to report a loss from abroad.
8.
Check the Caribbean Safety and Security Net
website regularly, both for additional security tips as well as reports of
piracy or attempted piracy against other yachts, and learn lessons from how
others have handled a piracy situation.
9.
If your yacht is approached by a
suspicious vessel, immediately activate DSC on your VHF and begin transmitting
on VHF 16 and SSB 2182 that you feel you are in danger. Call out your yacht
name and your location repeatedly until you get a response. If you are
traveling in a group, one of those yachts will hear you, and if you are
traveling alone, it is possible that another vessel in the area will hear you
and come to assist. If you have DSC activated, that signal will extend a great
distance.
10. Always remember, neither your yacht nor your possessions are worth
serious injuries or worse. But you must consider that
anyone willing to randomly fire at your vessel may not leave you unharmed if
they are allowed to board. You must consider how and whether, and be prepared,
to provide resistance to boarders as you determine to be appropriate.
·
File a float plan with
the Coast Guard prior to departure - they need to know boat name, number of
persons on board, brief description (monohull/catamaran, color, size),
estimated departure date & time, estimated arrival date & time. The
departure Coast Guard will alert their counterparts at your destination so they
know to expect you.
·
Contact the Coast
Guard at the destination upon arrival. If you decide not to stop or have
to abandon your passage and turn back, please do contact the Coast Guard as
soon as possible to avoid unnecessary concern and search operations. The
arrival Coast Guard will alert their counterparts that the yacht has arrived.
·
Trinidad and Tobago
Coast Guard - by phone at 868 634 1476 or email to ttcgops@gmail.com
·
Grenada Coast Guard -
visit the coast guard base in Prickly Bay or call them at 473 444 1931/2
(e-mail capabilities are being investigated)
·
If no contact within
24 hours of estimated time of arrival, attempts will be made to contact yacht,
first by VHF in area harbors then with aircraft.
The Caribbean
Safety and Security Net welcomes additional suggestions: e-mail to svsecondm@aol.com or use the CONTACT US
page on this website.