Murder in Antigua
Oriole
Wed 28 Jan 2009 23:30
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Falmouth Harbour, Antigua 17:00.94N
61:46.39W.
I had hoped that I would never have
to report such a tragedy so close to home. On Thursday evening the
Australian captain of one of the superyachts and a friend of Andrew's was
walking home after dining out with his girfriend and small daughter when
they were robbed at gunpoint and he was shot twice in the chest in the
ensuing struggle and died on the way to hospital. To say that this has had
a dampening effect on the atmosphere here is an understatement and when the
yacht of which he was captain left Falmouth half an hour ago the fanfare of
sirens from the remaining superyachts was deafening and heartrending.
There is shocked disbelief here, but many have been saying that this was a
tragedy waiting to happen. The extraordinary thing is that there has been
a wall of silence and we would not be surprised if this news had not
reached the press in the UK. Some yachts have left, Andrew left in Sea
Shuttle for a charter on Monday morning and others continue to leave.
Yesterday we were joined by our friends Erik and Frannie and we are considering
our options but at this moment Falmouth Harbour is probably one of the safest
places to be in the Caribbean. This afternoon while walking to the
beach we met two police vehicles in quick succession, one of which was driven by
the Deputy Commissioner of Police an ex Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Officer. This level of patrol is unheard of in our
experience!
 The new crew.
We returned here on Saturday
after spending a few delightful days on the north and east coast of
Antigua, an area unfrequented by yachts. We are considering
returning there this week as the winds are blowing strongly and the sailing in
relatively sheltered waters is good.
Allen Stanford the Texan banking
billionaire of 20/20 cricket fame who was severely criticiised when he barged
into the players changing room at Lord's, having landed there in his
helicopter, has invested extensively in Antigua. His latest venture is a
large marine facility on the north coast of Antigua which is reputedly
exclusively for his own private yacht. Time will tell if this is
true.
 The Stanford Marine Facility resembles
the Devonport Frigate Complex
But it is a great shame that he has
not apparently channelled some of his millions into projects of greater
general good such as security in English and Falmouth Harbours where his
bank sponsors Antigua Sailing Week. The security at his marine
facility appears to be impregnable. Currently the superyacht industry is the
largest contibutor to Antigua'a economy, and this tragedy could be the start of
its demise. We sincerely hope not as it is a wonderful place to
come.
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