Cruiser Killed by Thieves in Venezuela

Tragedy struck in Venezuela Saturday night when three men boarded Ken and Cathy Peters’ sailboat Chill in an apparent robbery attempt. Local authorities report that Ken Peters, 55, tried to defend himself and his wife with a gun, wounding one of the attackers, but was shot to death. Also wounded in the attack was fellow cruiser Steve Davis of the Hunter 37 I’Lean, who was aboard Chill at the time and was shot in the leg. Cathy Peters and Steve’s wife Gloria were not reported to have been injured. Authorities also report at least one suspect has been detained.

This terrible crime is reminiscent of the death of Daniel Dryden, a cruiser killed in Guatemala during a robbery attempt in August. Beyond the attacks themselves, both occurred after the cruisers had moved their boats from a marina to an anchorage in preparation for an early departure. Chill and I’Lean left Bahía Redonda Marina Saturday for their return trip to the U.S., staging at Isla Borracha near Puerto La Cruz. The Drydens moved their Southern Cross 39 Sunday’s Child from a marina to get used to living at anchor before leaving port. Additionally, the owner of a French catamaran was shot to death in September while at anchor in Venezuela. While anchoring is a wonderful aspect to cruising foreign waters, it would seem wise for cruisers in these areas to stick with the herd and stay at marinas whenever possible.