Murder in St. Vincent & the Grenadines

I had just finished writing a new report on our trip to Egypt when we received more important and shocking news.

Two sailors are believed to have been murdered in the Caribbean. The investigation is still ongoing, but the picture is one of violence. Kathy (71) and Ralph (67) from Virgina were apparently attacked and killed on their catamaran “Simplicity” in Grenada while anchored at Grand Anse beach. It has been reported that three citizens of St. Vincent & the Grenadines escaped from a prison in Grenada. The three are said to have attacked the yacht during their escape and taken control of it. They then sailed the “Simplicity” to the northern neighboring country of St. Vincent & the Grenadines. The vessel was found abandoned in St. Vincent, with traces of violence and blood. Kathy and Ralph have not been found and the search is still on. But after the past few days, the St. Vincent police assume that both are dead. The suspected men, aged between 19 and 35, had already been convicted before of assault, rape and other violent offenses. The three and a fourth person have been apprehended and are back in police custody in St. Vincent.

Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel

Violent beauty St. Vincent

We are shocked by this news. Like us, Kathy and Ralph were Lifeaboards, married for almost 30 years and had been sailing on their boat for over 10 years. The two likeable Americans were members of the “Salty Dawg” sailing club and that’s where we met them.

There have always been crimes in the Caribbean, just like everywhere else in the world. This time it feels different to us. Firstly because we knew the victims, and secondly because it is once again St. Vincent. Hardly a week goes by without reports of crime in St. Vincent on the CSSN (Caribbean Safety and Security Net). On the Caribbean islands it is mostly theft or attempts to break into a vessel. In St. Vincent, however, violent crimes and murders are also reported time and again. When we sailed across the Atlantic to the Caribbean for the first time in 2016, we skipped St. Vincent and the Grenadines because sailors had been murdered there shortly beforehand. We then sailed there for the first time in 2021 and found the Grenadines to be one of the most beautiful spots in the Caribbean.

Crime scene: Grenada, Grand Anse Beach

Why St. Vincent and the Grenadines, of all places, time and time again? This country has had problems with crime and violence for ages. Even though it only has 100,000 inhabitants. Shortly after we last left St. Vincent in 2023, two complete catamarans were stolen in the Young Islang Cut. Anchoring around the main island has been known for years to be very dangerous and therefore negligent. And yet St. Vincent and the Grenadines are some of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. Until now, the southernmost islands of the country, the Grenadines, have been relatively safe. Bequia, Mustique, Canouan and the Tobago Keys are dream destinations and there was little crime there. But even in Clifton Island and Bequia, incidents have been reported recently.

St. Vincen Young Island Cut, beach of the Tobago Keys, Rivercafe in St. Vincent

Sailors – the perfect prey

Anyone who embarks on a long sailing trip knows that you are leaving the safe comfort zone of the civilized world. From the first day of the voyage, you are solely responsible for your own safety. This applies to nature, but also to the people you come into contact with. That’s why you plan ahead and reduce the risk, e.g. by not anchoring in known unsafe places. Kathy and Ralph were very experienced and cautious sailors. The anchorage in Grand Anse in Grenada was always a safe place.

I can’t prove it with forensic validity, but I have the impression that the willingness to use violence has increased in the post-Covid era. There are more and more armed robberies, mostly for trivial loot. The burglary damage on a vessel is usually more expensive than the value of the loot. The criminals are usually poorly educated, but they still take the risk. Presumably a result of the enormous poverty and callousness. Sailors are still considered rich, and we are predominantly white. With usually two (rarely more) people on board, we are also easy prey for unscrupulous criminals. This makes us easy prey for desperate, stupid or violent people. The situation is also made more difficult because most Caribbean governments don’t give a damn about their inhabitants. Corruption is very widespread and a government office is desirable because then take care for yourself first.

The small Caribbean nations need sailing visitors. In Grenada, the country south of St. Vincent, half the country lives from the shipyards and marinas. Many sailors are a blessing, bringing foreign currency and support. In Dominica, sailors get together every year for “Appreciation Week” and help with anything that is needed on the island. However, the deal will fall apart if the visit becomes a threat to life.

Is that it for sailing?

Does this mean an end to freedom of sailing? Is it getting too dangerous? At the very least, the risk situation has become much more serious. If it affects even experienced and cautious sailors like Kathy and Ralph, then it can affect anyone. It really is time to set an example. If all sailors avoid St. Vincent and the Grenadines or St. Lucia in future, it will have an effect on these countries. Perhaps these countries will then do a bit more to get their crime under control. This comes too late for Kathy and Ralph. Their journey has come to an end and that is incredibly sad. / Holger Binz