[PUP] A frightening experience

[Dave Cooper]

Milt, we so sorry to hear about this. Glad you and Judy are OK.

We take security as a top priority 24/7 on Swan Song. Especially as we
cruise in what folks think is a high crime area...Venezuela.

We have not ever had one issue in Venezuela in the years that I have been
coming here.....1992 was the first time. So I personally think that the
issue is overrated here.

We were recently in St Maarten for a week. While we were there, there were
12 boat break-ins where the entire contents of the boats were rummaged thru
and anything of value taken. I was in the police station checking out when
one person was trying to report it...they were not interested. Later on the
coast guard came thru the anchorage checking boat papers. When I asked them
about the boat break-ins their only response was to not leave the boat
unattended. Wow that's a cop out, eh!!

We look every door/window on Swan Song and have our security system "Rex" on
guard. Seldom have we heard of a boat being boarded with a large barking dog
aboard. It may happen but is a good deterrent, IMHO. Has it worked? Rex does
on occasion bark at night. In the many times I have got up to check I
haven't seen any reason for this. OTOH he is set so that someone doesn't
have to actually board but just come near.

We also make sure he barks on occasion during the day and before we go to
bed and anytime we see a boat coming near. I think the word spreads in a
small anchorage.

Are these measures adequate to prevent what has happened to you?? I don't
know but hope so. Once people are inside the boat the situation changes as
you now have confrontation that can rapidly escalate....the risk of personal
harm skyrockets.

So keeping folks out is the key priority and keeping them off the boat is
even better. We posture Swan Song so that intruders will consider others as
easier targets or just not attempt us.

After Hurricane Luis in St Maarten a friend hired a night watchman for his
80 odd footer motor yacht. Every afternoon just before sunset he would sit
in the tiled foredeck and clean his shotgun. After cleaning as the light was
fading he would chamber a round and fire it off. Kevin never had one person
attempt to board his boat while others nearby were stripped. Deterrent vs.
confrontation.

Our bow, side and stern floods are on all night in every anchorage. We
prefer these to deck lights which tend to light up the boat vs. the
surrounding water. If you approach Swan Song at night you cannot easily see
inside the "ring of light". Then there's a barking dog or two inside the
"ring" to add to your confusion. It should give pause to all but the most
brazen thieves to continue to approach....I hope.

No mater where you are, the canal system of NY, Canada, Chesapeake Bay, the
Caribbean, West coast, Med etc there are thieves who will sooner or later be
an issue. After all you do lock you car and house today in most places. When
I was a kid you left the keys in the car and the doors didn't have locks!
The water community isn't immune to this same pressure of crime, IMHO. We
all need to take note of the surroundings and keep a good defensive posture.

Again, Nancy and I give our best to you and hope it is all behind you, never
to be repeated, at this point.

Dave & Nancy
Swan Song
Roughwater 58