Law Enforcement Officials as well as other stakeholders in the OECS Marine sector recently held unprecedented talks on dealing with the increasing level of crimes against the yachting industry.

At the first OECS Yachting Safety and Security meeting in December, stakeholders examined the level of crime facing each individual sector and limitations in the security industry in tackling the menace.

Delegates offered strategies to help curb the crime problem while acknowledging the valid contribution of the yachting industry to the GDP of OECS Member States. The inaugural OECS Yachting Safety and Security meeting also sought to identify common approaches to common problems that hinder a safe marine environment such as the trafficking of illegal drugs. OECS Director General Dr. Len Ishmael describing OECS waters as “arguably the best sailing waters in the world” further called for a response that is more effective, strategic and timely in dealing with crimes against the yachting community: “These islands through a quirk of geography find themselves located in major transshipment routes for drugs from south to north and there is rigorous empirical evidence that doesn’t suggest but confirms the fact that as these islands have become more heavily trafficked with drugs running from south to north. So too have come of course the traffickers, with them have come the weapons to protect their turf, with them have some weapons on land and with them and all of these have come an escalation in crime.”

Dr. Ishmael emphasized that the natural resources on which yachting and other forms of marine tourism depend are critical to the social and economic development of the OECS Member States and asked the delegates to consider meeting twice per year to help ensure that the yachting sector yields success, wealth generation and empowerment for the economies of the OECS. Ray Goodwin, one of the boaters who attended the conference concurs: “There is great interest by the people involved for the security and safety of boating people. Boaters must be a part of the community. If I am in Grenada I am Grenadian. If I am in St. Lucia I am St. Lucian. It’s good to have the dialogue. It’s good to see the interest and for people to express their views and collaborate.” 

Also endorsing the first OECS Yachting Safety and Security meeting is the Eastern Caribbean based Marine Magazine, Caribbean Compass. Commenting on some of the possible solutions to crimes against the OECS Yachting sector, Editor in Chief of Caribbean Compass Sally Eudle noted that some Yachters who visit can be part of the problem and need to desist from indulging in dubious behaviour that can harm the marine industry and further the economies of the Eastern Caribbean: “Be good citizens. Don’t attempt to engage in any illegal activity. Some people think that because they are in a warm place with beautiful beaches and palm trees they can just do whatever they want. That’s not true. There are laws and we must respect them as visitors and also I think we need to be our own primary source of security. Not leave things unattended; lock up your boat when you are leaving. Just take common sense precautions to deter the possibility of crimes happening.”

Among the initiatives being undertaken to help deal with crimes against the yachting sector is a data base for the Eastern Caribbean to help inform policy. This database should be fully operational by June 2007.The inaugural OECS Yachting Safety and Security meeting follows recommendations from the 4th session of OECS Ministers of Tourism in Puerto Rico held in October 2006.