French Polynesia, Raiatea, Uturoa: Yacht burglaries on the public dock – June 2015
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The cruiser who sent us this security report prefers to remain anonymous:
We are currently cruising French Polynesia and have thoroughly enjoyed every minute. We are passing through Raiatea for the second time.
I want to report three cases of boats being boarded in the last two weeks in Uturoa on the town public dock. We are still cruising here and want to make sure fellow cruisers are aware of petty crime here.
The first incident happened two weeks ago to a friend’s boat tied up close to the Shell Gas Station. His boat along with three others were boarded at night and various items were stolen. All three boats were unlocked. The perpetrator was maced and fled leaving various items behind.
We pulled back into the public dock today to re-provision and met two Australian boats that were boarded last night with a Laptop stolen with forceful entry and the perpetrator being chased off a second boat when the owner was awoken.
Local recommendations are NOT to tie up here overnight but anchor off the town or pick up a mooring ball overnight. Our suggestion is to go to Taha’a and pick up a moring ball by the old yacht club and spend the night there.
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It is a very old problem at least over the past 3 years many boats have been walked onto while owner and crew are aboard and sleeping. Sadly the police do nothing.
At least they could post a sign to warn Yachts that are unsuspecting like you often see in parking lots that tourist frequent. Happy to hear he was maced.