Our situation is quite different than all of the above . Clearly, we are not a cruise ship nor an oil tanker. Compared to the small liveboard cruiser, we are a large, fast, formidable vessel - perfectly capable of slicing a small pirate skiff into 3 separate pieces with our razor sharp bows. Flight is usually the best course of action, however, and, in the open ocean, Grand Illusion will be able to show a clean pair of heels to any pirate craft and most craft of any kind.
The same could, no doubt be said, of many mega luxury crewed yachts. It is apparent, however that, in regards to the "juiciness" of the target, the spit and polished mega yacht with uniformed crew and gold leaf nameboards, wins that contest hands down - over an open, overgrown skiff with a bunch of scruffy campers aboard.
In truth, our fishing equipment alone would be worth a very handsome sum of money. We will, however, be encouraging our guests to leave all items of value, save perhaps cameras, with the hotel, in Margarita, for safekeeping. Naturally, cash or credit cards will not be of any use at any of our destinations. In this respect then, any potential pirates perception of the situation will conform to reality.
Clearly, when Grand Illusion is moored at the beach camp, she wil not be capable of outrunning any pirate vessel. In this situation, however, any potential pirates are faced with a somewhat different problem. How do you bring under control 30 odd people scattered over a long beach, with possibly many individuals out on the sea in small craft - assuming it was day time? At night, darkness would make the task even more problematic.
It would seem then that it would take a very stupid pirate indeed to attempt this - with the potential reward of a few tents and a couple of pairs of hiking boots. As unlikely as this might seem, however, the slightest nagging concern about one's safety is, no doubt, sufficient to prevent one from having that "Perfect Vacation."
Related info. available on the following web sites:
Safety & Security - Concerns & Provisions
Pristine Tropical Paradise -
somewhere out there
In light of this, we will be choosing destinations and making security provisions to ensure that there is no valid reason to harbor even the slightest
concern in regard to unexpected visits from the descendants of Blackbeard.
In regard to the choice of destinations for minimal security risks, it would appear that La Blanqilla is the safest option. For security reasons, if you are looking at remote destinations, clearly the more remote the better. There is 50 miles of open ocean between Blanquilla and Margarita and it is another 30 miles to the Venezuelan mainland.
Very few yachts visit Blanquilla - so any potential Pirate deciding to make the grueling journey in the hope of finding an unsuspecting yacht to be plundered would have to be a very industrious pirate indeed.
The only full time inhabitants of La Blanqilla are a well armed Coast Guard Garrison, so in addition to being industrious, these pirates would also have to be very brave or very stupid. In other words, La Blanquilla is, possibly one of the safest places on this planet - in regard to threats of violence to person and property.
Isla Tortuga and Los Testigos are not far behind in this regard. Mochima, Golfo de Cariaco and the Paria Peninsula are currently (in reverse order of risk) a bit more problematic and will require careful consideration and planning before initiating any cruises in these areas.
The ongoing hostile relations between the government of Venezuela and the current administration of the U.S. may also concern some potential participants in our cruises. Unless, out of the blue, the U.S. should instigate an armed attack on Venezuela (which seems an unlikely scenario) these concerns are totally without foundation.
Clearly, an "Iran Sponsored terrorist attack" on Venezuelan soil is also not likely to be in the cards. In other words, it would seem that one is far more likely to get involved in an armed conflict in New York , London , or Madrid
than on one of our cruises.
Concerns of any threat to individual citizens of any particular country, for political reasons, are also entirely groundless - as Sean Penn, Danny Glover and a host of ordinary American citizens can attest to.
Lastly, to go back to threats to safety from the elements or from the flora and fauna; Grand Illusion, for reasons explained in other sections of this web site, is a remarkably safe boat in regard to dealing with the elements. The crew is also highly skilled and very experienced.
Together with our skilled guides, we can be depended on to do an excellent job of helping to keep you safe. However, your safety is to a very large extent in your hands and you will need to make rational choices as to your actions.
If you should choose to kiss an enormous bull shark (which is just not in the mood) there is very little anyone can do to prevent you from losing your head. By the way, you will also be breaking the ships rules as you will be denying the rest of your cruise mates the freedom to enjoy their vacation - without nightmares of your headless body interrupting their peaceful sleep. In this case, however, punishment (D) "Hanging from the yardarm" would probably not be a very feasible option.
Seriously, however, so long as you "think before you leap" , cruising with us
will be "as safe as houses" - a whole lot safer in fact.
It is a sad commentary on civilization today that, in staging these cruises to the most pristine and remote locations we can find, the most serious threats to our safety and security (in our opinion) comes not from the elements nor from the wild flora and fauna.
The threats, which are, by far, the most troubling to to us, are from our fellow human beings. The rise of modern day piracy throughout the world is definitely of concern to us - as it is to all marine interests - whether commercial shipping, the cruise ship industry or the private yachting community.
It would be nice to think that being attacked by pirates (attired in colorfull costumes and sporting peg legs, eye patches and parrots) would merely add a touch of drama and authenticity to our adventure trip on the "Spanish Main" The reality, however, as testified to by many victims of modern day piracy, is a very different - and very scary matter.
The boundaries between the motives for the acts of piracy that occur today are very hazy - as presumably they were in the past. Whether they are politically motivated or purely acts of mercenary zeal is a question that the commentators can debate. To the victims, however, it matters not one iota.
There is no question that our cruising area (particularly some specific locations) is considered, by the yachting community, to be in the risky category. This is not to say that there have not been incidents in virtually all areas - where small cruising boats have dared to venture.
It is also quite apparent that a "liveaboard" cruising yacht (in virtually all cases a small, slow sailing vessel, manned only by a couple with or without children) is a very vulnerable and attractive target.
The pirate community is, no doubt, well aware that, for many cruisers, this yacht is their home and, as such, is well stocked with cash, credit cards, lap top computers, other electronics and many items of value. They may also be aware that the great majority of these cruisers would probably be classified as "bleeding heart liberals" and therefore would not be likely to have weapons for their self defense.
Larger luxury crewed charter yachts may appear to the pirates to be a bit less vulnerable. On the other hand they would obviously be "juicier" targets. It should be kept in mind that, in this day an age, pirate's weapons are no longer limited to cutlasses and single shot muskets. Therefore, a large crewed luxury yacht would not, necessarily, appear to be an unassailable target. In Fact, cruise ships and oil tankers are among recent targets of piracy.
 | ||||||
Pristine Tropical Paradise -
somewhere out there
| ||||||
Pristine Tropical Paradise -
somewhere out there
| ||||||
Pristine Tropical Paradise -
somewhere out there
| ||||||
Pristine Tropical Paradise -
somewhere out there
| ||||||
| ||||||
Escape! Runaway! Getaway! - - to a
Faraway Pristine Paradise, where
Light dances with crystal seas - Time flows at a gentle pace -
Space goes on forever and
Grace reaches out to all.
Stretch your horizons!
We can take you there!
*
Green eco adventure jobs abroad in a - Caribbean Paradise.
Or scroll down to continue viewing this page
Much of the following info is out of date
