First hand report by Alison and Andy Nelson of S/V Venture Lady.

• Attempted Bicycle Theft 
• Saturday 03.00 Sept 19 2020
• UK registered Boat on a finger berth in Papeete Marina, Tahiti. 
• 13.32S  149.34W 
• An intruder boarded the boat intent on taking a folding bicycle stowed on board.  Footsteps on the deck above our cabin woke me and on looking out of the cabin window I saw the bicycle move.  I screamed loudly and frightened the intruder – a young man – who left the boat and had disappeared before we were able to get on deck.  The marina security gate was closed requiring a card to activate entry/ exit. 
• The bike was left on the deck – nothing was taken. 
• We have reported this incident to the marina office, posted on FB and completed a form about the incident for the Association de voiliers de Polynesia (AVP) . We have not reported it to the police. 
• The bikes were stored on the foredeck and were not locked at the time ( now are!) The boat is on a pontoon that is visible from outside the marina but within a secure gated area.
• Since this incident two additional security guards have been appointed to give 24 hr cover.

Related Reports:

French Polynesia, Tahiti: Yachts burgled at Marina Papeete – September 2018

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club.