This is a first-hand account by the victim to the Caribbean Security and Safety Net (CSSN).

DATE: 2015-05-20 01:35

Country Name: St. Lucia

Location Detail: Rodney Bay Reduit Beach

EVENT: Assault

Stolen Items: knife

SECURED: Not Locked

DETAILS:

In an apparent attempt to rob the vessel, a swimmer tripped over and woke the skipper who was sleeping in the cockpit of a boat anchored near shore at Reduit Beach.

The robber proceeded to attack the skipper with a knife; the skipper received 20 stab wounds, 17 of which required stitches, before the skipper was able to throw the attacker overboard. A second person onboard was awakened by the activity and assisted in summoning help and transporting the victim to the police who were waiting ashore and then transported the victim to the local hospital for treatment.

The skipper was hospitalized for 6 days.

A police report was made, but no arrests have followed.

The location of this incident was just outside where lots of boats anchor off Reduit Beach.

The victim Simon subsequently reported:

“I can’t walk down the beach and not have someone come up to me and say how sorry they are, and express their anger at the attack. People know my face as I was on choice news twice for interviews: once when I was released from the hospital and once a week later after I had recovered a bit to talk about how I was doing and also to talk about some security measures that should be put in place. I am working to help set up a Baywatch program in Rodney Bay, to make the area safer for visiting yachts and locals.“

Related content

Rodney Bay