St. Vincent & the Grenadines Archives - Caribbean Safety and Security Net

2023-05-11

CSSN News- May 11, 2023 – UPDATE: Mooring issues in Clifton Harbour, SVG

Recently CSSN published a report of vandalism against a visiting yacht who reported their mooring line had been cut overnight. The report can be read here.

CSSN has been in contact with Lesroy Noel, the Tobago Cays Marine Park (TCMP) Manager, who is responsible for the moorings in Clifton harbour. He helpfully explained the system that has been put in place for visiting yachts and we are glad to share that information here, anticipating that informing cruisers prior to arrival and setting the right expectations will improve communications and user satisfaction.

Currently the TCMP is the only authorized provider of temporary/overnight moorings in Clifton harbor. Their 19 moorings are all marked by plain white balls. Six authorized assistants (“boatboys”) have been selected and authorized to act as agents for TCMP and each of them has personalized boat cards that identify them by name and include the TCMP logo. Captains can choose any available assistant, any open mooring and utilize these assistants in getting tied up if they desire. Anchoring is also an option, and is free.

The fee for TCMP mooring usage is $60ECD for 24 hours. Actual payment for a TCMP mooring should only be made to a uniformed TCMP ranger who will visit the yacht and also collect the card. $20ECD of each $60ECD daily fee is then paid by TCMP to the assistant specified on the collected card. The TCMP welcomes feedback from users about their moorings and the performance of their authorized assistants. You can visit the TCMP office ashore M-F from 8-4, they also collect cards and accept payment.

At times, private moorings in the anchorage may be available and offered on a freelance basis by the designated assistants, or others. No oversight or control over this sort of entrepreneurial activity is provided by TCMP, and none of any fees paid remits to TCMP.

2023-05-062023-05-11

3025 – 2023-04-12 – Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Union – Clifton Harbor – Vandalism

DATE: 2023-04-12 00:30
LOCATION: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Union – Clifton Harbor
EVENT: Vandalism
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: none, line cut
SECURED: N/A
DETAILS: A yacht was approached and led to a non-park mooring and what was perceived as a high fee ($80ECD) was demanded, then refused, and then the boat was taken to one of the park moorings and a proper Marine Park ticket/voucher given for payment. A lot of harsh words were exchanged.

That night, the yacht’s mooring line was cut and the boat went adrift, the crew was awakened by the unusual motion of the boat at 0030HRS. The crew managed to avert disaster and were very close to going aground/striking the concrete dock.

The next morning another young man arrived at 0500 and asked to be paid for his “services” although he had not been involved in any way. When examined closely it was clear that many sharp cuts had been made on the yacht’s mooring line. The crew visited the Marine Park offices later that day and after some discussion the overnight fee ($60ECD) was waived given the circumstances, and the yacht departed.

CSSN has asked the Marine Park manager to clarify the mooring selection/payment process for their moorings and the role/payment of boat boys . We will publish an update when this is received.

UPDATE: Lesroy Noel, the Tobago Cay Marine Park manager has clarified the options available to yachts visiting Clifton, Harbour. The helpful details are contained in this CSSN News report.

ID: 3025

2023-03-19

3005 – 2023-03-16 – Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – St. Vincent – Blue Lagoon – Theft

DATE: 2023-03-16 03:00
LOCATION: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – St. Vincent – Blue Lagoon
EVENT: Theft
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: Cash, cell phone
SECURED: Not Locked
DETAILS: While owners slept onboard, a thief entered the yacht through an unlocked hatch and stole cash and a cellphone.

A report was made to the police and the marina.
ID: 3005

2023-02-27

CSSN News – February 27, 2023 – Union Island, SVG – Hazard to navigation

A yacht owner has reported that things did not go as planned during their arrival to Clifton Harbor, Union Island, SVG. While their monohull was being guided to a mooring by a local boat their prop became entangled in a large floating rope from what was later found to be a disused mooring. The yacht’s engine stopped. Several local boats helped the yacht avoid collision with a nearby boat, and cut away the entangled 2 inch rope. Eventually the yacht was safely secured to a mooring. The captain negotiated and agreed a large a payment that was shared with much debate among the aggressive local helpers.

The next day the captain witnessed 2 other boats being guided over the same rope, and yelled a warning to the captains. The hazard was avoided. The original captain decided to attach a coke bottle to better mark the hazard.

A third boat was guided toward the rope/coke bottle, even though it appeared that the boat boy had seen it. Again the captain made the latest arrival aware of the hazard, and it was avoided.

Please be aware that marked/unmarked hazards may exist in the Clifton harbor mooring field and be certain to carefully observe your approach even as helpers/boat boys guide you to a mooring.

2023-02-102023-02-10

2981 – 2023-02-08 – Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – St. Vincent – Cumberland Bay – Theft

DATE: 2023-02-08 02:00
LOCATION: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – St. Vincent – Cumberland Bay
EVENT: Theft
HAND: 2
STOLEN ITEMS: Dinghy with motor
SECURED: Not Locked
DETAILS: Overnight while owners slept onboard their yacht anchored in Cumberland Bay, their in-the-water but not locked dinghy was stolen, despite having 2 lines securing it to the yacht. This is the 4th reported theft in this bay in the last 2 months.

It is not known if a police report was made.

CSSN NOTE: If you are a victim please complete the quick and easy CSSN online incident report, help keep the cruising community well informed.

ID: 2981