Theft At Puerto Real, Puerto Rico

Created by doina. Last modified on 2008-03-22 08:19:28
Countries: Puerto Rico

We arrived in Puerto Real, Puerto Rico in company with another boat on 28th Feb 2008, and anchored in the excellent anchorage there. Sadly we returned from a one hour trip ashore to find the boat had been boarded and robbed during daylight in a small harbour.

That night at midnight we were woken by a loud noise and when I went into the cockpit, 2 men in a small open fishing boat were in the process of cutting our dinghy lifting harness, trying to steal the dinghy. It was locked to the boat, hoisted 6ft out of the water on a halyard and, assuming it was the same people, they had already robbed us once that day, but still felt comfortable about trying to steal it.

When I shouted at them and ran into the cockpit they took off at high speed to shore. We spent the rest of the night on watch in the cockpit with a spot light and they didn't return.

The village in general seemed very friendly, and we had a lot of help in dealing with the police the next day, but sadly I cannot recommend anchoring there at present.

Tim and Linda, Matsu