Nothing much to worry about in the area we've been traveling in, but when we get down to Trinidad, from there to Panama maybe some concern. There is a net that covers the subject in the caribbean not sure if it blows things out of proportion or not, suspect that it does. Much of the "piracy" can probably be written off to misunderstanding of cultural differences. and language. Bruce Van Sant covers this subject in his Gentleman's Guide to Passages South, the bible for Caribbean bound cruisers. I met Bruce in Luperon, a very captivating man. He autographed my copy of his book. A great sailing strategist but I don't follow his method verbatim. And he is definitely not my choice of weatherman. As he hasn't sailed much in recent years and as he said recently on the airwaves, "I haven't looked at the weather lately..."
As an aside, here's the web page of a couple that has done everything on there own, and have reached Cairo in the process. www.bumfuzzle.com These two should have been targets when they crossed the Gulf, or in the Indoneasian waters, or Malasian, or the Indian ocean, or Somalia but somehow seem to have retained their midwestern naiveté through out it all.
We were minding our own business as we crossed from the Dominican Republic the other day and passed the infamous corner of the hour glass shoal between the DR and Puerto Rico when we are hailed by the US Coast Guard. They eventually ran down on us and send over a boarding team. It was quite a process to receive them, sort of like getting a visit by the cavalry. We enjoyed it immensely. It was our first experience with the Coast Guard and they were most courteous if not too terribly bright people. Just about what one would expect. Salt of the earth type guys. The ones you'd like to depend upon if you were ever in need of their help. |
