Atti di pirateria ai Caraibi
Il 2 gennaio 2016 la Ocean Cruising Club (OCC) ha diramato un’allerta pirati relativa a due incidenti avvenuti nei 10 giorni precedenti nelle acque tra Trinidad e Grenada.
In entrambi i casi i pirati sono saliti a bordo e hanno messo a soqquadro le barche in cerca di soldi e oggetti di valore. Sono stati rubati contanti, passaporti, carte nautiche, telefoni cellulari, orologi, computer, altri dispositivi elettronici e abbigliamento. Per fortuna non ci sono stati feriti o perdite di vite umane.
Il testo completo dell’avviso in inglese:
2 January 2016 – Two incidents of armed piracy against sailing vessels reported in the Caribbean in 10 days
United Kingdom – OCC Commodore John Franklin has issued an alert to vessels sailing in waters between Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada. In the last 10 days there have been reports of two incidents of piracy against sailing vessels north of Trinidad. Both took place in daylight and involved local (assumed Venezuelan) 18-20 ft pirogues with powerful outboard engines (120-130 HP). Each craft had 5 or 6 pirates aboard, several of them armed with assault rifles and each craft carried a spare powerful outboard and additional fuel in barrels.
“The OCC Port Officer in Trinidad, Jesse James, is heavily involved with the Trinidad and Tobago Government, the Coast Guard, the Yacht Service Association of Trinidad and Tobago (YSATT), the Ministry of Tourism and other bodies to combat this threat,” reported Commodore Franklin. “I am making representations to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago on behalf of the OCC and the cruising community at large. OCC Roving Rear Commodore John Lytle has also been advising on this dangerous situation unfolding as the year comes to a close. The OCC is doing everything possible to combat this new threat together with the Trinidadian authorities.”
In each case the sailing vessel was boarded by armed pirates and the boat ransacked for valuables. Stolen items included cash, passports, boat papers, cell phones, watches, computers, other electronics and clothing. Fortunately, there were no injuries or loss of life. Reports of each incident as well as a report of a meeting of the YSATT which contains Coast Guard advice on communications and passage planning can be found on the OCC Forum. Please consult this advice if sailing in these waters. Also, please log in to the OCC Caribbean SSB Net for updates.
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Ci credo che Jesse James (al di là di chiamarsi come un bandito del far west ha un fiorente giro d’affari con i maxitaxi ed altro) sia preoccupato e determinato a risolvere la cosa.
Chaguaramas attira un numero enorme (oltre 1000) di barche per la stagione degli uragani, che stazionano, fanno lavori di riparazione e spendono soldi buoni (dollari americani).
Se iniziano ad andare altrove son dolori.
Infatti i pirati li dichiarano (come molto probabile che sia) Venezuelani, che oramai dal diporto nautico tirano su poco o nulla.
In effetti uno dei pochi posti dove mi sono sentito poco tranquillo a navigare, malgrado c’abbia lasciato la barca 7 mesi.