(2015-01-28) While CSSN does not report crime against cruisers ashore to our database, we still receive reports from time to time. A couple of incidents caught our attention this month.
One was an attempted grab and run incident in St. Martin (French) Marigot 2015-01-27 16:25, where a cruiser was enjoying time in a shore-side restaurant when a man grabbed the gold chain from his neck and attempted to flee. While the attempt was confronted and stopped, this type of incident is common everywhere in the world, and can easily ramp up to violence. (Source: First hand report from the Victim) Click Here for More.
The other incident was a reported gang rape of a crew member ashore in Antigua
in December 2014. Click here for more from original news article. Source: Antigua Cruisers Group Facebook Groups, 03 January 2015)
While, each Captain deploys the countermeasures needed to secure the vessel and crew, shore side situational awareness is sometimes needed if the perceived risk is sufficient.
CSSN Note: Consider checking online local new agencies before you visit a country to determine if vigilance ashore would be wise. Sailors ashore have been occasional victims for centuries.