Cape Verdes, Ihla de Santiago, Porto da Praia Bay: Armed Robbery – November 2017
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Last Update - December 12, 2017
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Yacht Zaria was attacked on 2 November while at anchor off the fishing harbor, Praia.
Zaria is an Ovni 395 and there was one person aboard at the time.
The attack happened about 21h00 UTC.
The boat was at anchor about 200m NW of the fishing harbor, in about 5m depth. Coordinates 14 d 54.8 N 23 d 30.3 W
I was asleep in the cockpit as it was a warm night.
Three men armed with knives swam to the boat and climbed up the sugar scoop stern. They forced me at knifepoint to give access to the boat.
They took computers, telephones, radios, cash, sextant, sailing jacket, Iridium-Go.
I called the police on VHF 16 but there was no answer.
I identified two of the robbers to the police but was never invited to testify.
Praia is best avoided, or else keep a vigilant anchor watch and some deterrents.
K Patterson
The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of noonsite.com or the World Cruising Club
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Update from K Patterson - 6 December:
I have tried to follow up my robbery with the police in Praia. It seems my declaration was not properly registered or filed, no action was taken. Officially the robbery did not happen. This was despite me being able to identify two of the robbers from police photos.
K Patterson