General security precautions for cruisers

General security precautions for cruisers © Caribbean Safety and Security Net

Though the Caribbean remains generally safe for cruisers, boardings and other incidents can happen anywhere. Developing safety habits and contingency plans will contribute to a more enjoyable cruise.

The following recommendations to minimize the risk of theft, burglary and assault come from the experience of many cruisers in the Caribbean, some of whom have been directly affected by such incidents. The intent is not to frighten cruisers, but to identify steps that can be taken to prevent property loss or physical harm.

To prevent a boarding incident from possible escalation to violence, the emphasis is placed on scaring off rather than confronting intruders. Some of the recommendations seem obvious but if they do not become habits, they serve no purpose. On the other hand, if you habitually use these precautions, they become a not-burdensome routine. The more difficult you make life for the criminal, the more likely he is to leave you and your property alone.

1. Avoid known high-risk anchorages; especially, do not anchor alone there. If you do stop, use full security precautions and post a watch. Introduce yourself to others in the harbor and decide on a VHF frequency for all to monitor. When up at night, shine a flashlight on other boats to check for activity (only after mentioning this possibility to the other boaters earlier in the day).

2. Program your VHF DSC with your MMSI number. Ensure everyone onboard knows how to activate and use it.

3. If you have an SSB/HF radio, preprogram the stations monitored by USCG and other authorities. As of July 2017, the distress voice frequencies are 4125, 6215, 8291, or 12290 kHz.

4. Whenever you leave the boat, lock/secure all access points, including hatches and ports, using good quality locks. It's amazing what size opening a skinny, motivated kid can get through!

5. Don't leave desirable items unlocked in the dinghy behind the boat, at the dinghy dock while you're ashore, or unattended on the beach while swimming. In addition to the obvious outboard, this includes gas tanks and diving/snorkeling gear. Don't paint your yacht's name on the dinghy: at dinghy docks, it broadcasts that at least one person is away from the yacht.

6. Don't leave anything valuable on the deck or in the cockpit at night or when the boat is unoccupied. Equipment that cannot be stowed below should be secured with the heaviest chain or wire cable practicable. Pull up the boarding ladder, particularly on a catamaran or a monohull with a sugar scoop or boarding platform.

7. Outboards are a major target: always lock them to the dinghy. Lock dinghies to the dock when ashore, using a long enough cable or chain so others can get their dinghies to the dock, too. Hoist and visibly lock (cable or chain) the dinghy to the boat at night. There have been few attempts, and NO successful dinghy thefts of dinghies secured in this manner. If you remove your outboard secure it by chain or cable to the rail or in the cockpit or stow it below. Make your brand new clean shiny outboard less brand new clean and shiny, and therefore, less attractive. Again, always use good quality locks. Swimmers easily steal dinghies left in the water, even when locked with cable; all they need is a hacksaw blade. If you must leave your dinghy in the water, use a quality stainless chain to secure it. Remember the dinghy end of your cable or chain must be secure- not an easily removed shackle!

8. Don't announce on the VHF that you are leaving the boat for a day of shopping or sightseeing or an evening out on the town. If someone is calling a neighboring boat on the VHF, don't helpfully advise the caller that the neighbors are off the boat. If you call on the VHF for reservations at a restaurant or taxi, use your name, not your boat name.

9. In high-risk areas, if asleep below during the day and especially at night, secure the companionway with barrel bolts and the hatches with screens or bars. Use stainless steel hasps and fixings. Fix hinges internally so they cannot be pried off or unscrewed.

10. Separate and hide valuables in multiple unpredictable areas onboard. Have a "sacrificial stash" to surrender. Store an electronic copy of all important materials where it can be accessed if your computer is stolen: your passports and boat documents, the contents of all your wallets: credit cards (both sides), licenses, etc. and an up to date equipment list with serial numbers. If possible, hide a spare GPS and handheld VHF radio.

11. Install an alarm system or use portable alarms to cover key access points. A simple US$30 motion detector in the cockpit can do much to scare off thieves. Be wary of using motion detectors like the car alarms, which can be set off at the least amount of motion; your neighbors will ignore the sound if there are too many false alarms.

12. Have a response plan ready to use if boarded, whether at anchor or under way, with the emphasis on scaring away intruders. For example, have an air horn, pepper spray, etc., next to your bunk. If you have pepper spray, learn how to use it. Stay out of sight when the boat is approached, speaking from the companionway rather than cockpit in questionable circumstances.

13. If you hear someone in the cockpit or on deck, DO NOT turn on any lights below – the light makes it possible for the intruders to see you. Keep a flashlight next to your bunk for light. Turn on the spreader lights and any other exterior lights.

14. Do not unlock a hatch or companionway to set off an alarm. Install additional switches to set off the alarm from the cabins.

15. When going ashore store valuables in a pouch that can be tucked inside clothes rather than in a wallet, purse, fanny pack or daypack. Do not carry your wallet in a daypack or backpack; a clever pickpocket can get a wallet from a pack without you feeling anything.

16. Carry only the amount of money needed for the day; a "sacrificial stash" in a pocket can be helpful.

17. Be aware of your environment and dress/act accordingly. Avoid wearing flashy clothing and expensive looking jewelry.

18. Use a taxi if transiting high-risk neighborhoods; use a bus only if you are knowledgeable about the location of your destination and use of the bus system, i.e. how to identify that a bus is going in the proper direction.

19. If you are involved in an incident, report it to the local authorities (police, marina management, tourist office, yachting and marine trade organization) and to the Caribbean Safety and Security Net. An incident unreported, for all practical purposes, never happened.

20. Don't discuss your departure plans (time and destination) with strangers on shore. Don't describe your boat to strangers: location, name, number of people on board, whether you are armed.

21. USUALLY, the presence of a dog on a boat is sufficient to deter boarders. However, if the dog barks at every passing dinghy and pirogue, it becomes like that motion detector in #11 and your neighbors will tend to ignore the dog. On the other hand, if your dog has a different bark for friends than for strangers, that warning bark is your alarm, although your neighbors are not likely to hear the difference.

CAUTION: When pets are ashore, be sure to be alert for poison. Click here for more.

22. When on the hard perform a safety check on all your boat to shore electrical connections, be certain there is a proper grounding system in place. 110/220 VAC can KILL.

23. Many thefts occur while the boat is on the hard. Don't forget about normal precautions when out of the water, while you are working and when you are away from the boat.

24. If you call another boat on the VHF and they don't answer, don't keep calling. They may be involved in a project and not be able to answer, or they may have the radio turned down or turned off, or they may be off the boat (you could be alerting someone listening in that they are off the boat).

To review precautions specific to passages see:

• Piracy Passage Precautions – Central America
• Piracy Passage Precautions – Trinidad/Grenada