Shore diving theft in Curacao?

[rlskill1]

I'm suprised vigilante groups of divers haven't started cracking the heads of robbers in Curacao or Bonaire.

or

Started going to a friendlier, safer, diver friendly country.

 

[RJP]

...going to a friendlier, safer, diver friendly country.

Ever been to either Curacao or Bonaire? You'll not find anyplace that is friendlier, safer, or diver-friendly than these two!

Are there problems with petty-thefts related to tourism? Sure - just like anywhere else in the world. You wouldn't leave an expensive dive computer, dSLR camera, or your wallet on the front seat of your car in Grand Cayman, Hawaii, Florida Keys, Roatan, Barbados, St Kitts, or anyplace else in the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, etc, etc. Hell, you wouldn't do that AT HOME so why would you expect to safely do so in Curacao or Bonaire?

Yes, it's unfortunate. But it also gets reported out of proportion...

• Bonaire and Curacao are specific dive destinations, with a higher percentage of divers vs non-divers than many other locations
• the issue is predominantly related to the fact that shore diving REQUIRES that divers park vehicles at remote/unattended sites - which is essentially every site in Bonaire and a great many in Curacao
• there is far and away a higher percentage of shore divers in Curacao and Bonaire than any place else in the world, so this problem will naturally occur more here than elsewhere, even if the overall prevalence (% of thefts per diver) is the same

Most importantly, keep in mind that a major factor driving perceptions is that this issue is only ever brought up when a problem occurs. No one ever jumps on ScubaBoard and posts a new thread entitled "DAMN! JUST RETURNED FROM BONAIRE AND NONE OF MY GEAR WAS STOLEN!" and then going on to write 1,500 words of excruciating detail about what WASN'T stolen, how much the gear that WASN'T stolen cost, that they DIDN'T have to replace the gear that WASN'T stolen, that they DIDN'T have cancel their credit cards that WEREN'T stolen, that they DIDN'T have to spend an hour at the police station to NOT report a theft that DIDN'T occur, etc. You only ever hear the bad news, you get lots of specific negative details, and you get it in an emotionally charged fashion.

Yes, it does happen. Yes, it's unfortunate. But you need to keep some perspective regarding the relatively low incidence/prevalence and balance that against the ease with which the issue can be avoided in the first place.

The recommended precautions are entirely reasonable and prudent, and other than the idea of "don't-lock-your-car-so-would-be-thieves-don't-have-to-break-a-window-to-check-for-valuables" are the same measures you would observe anyplace else. Follow them and you will almost 100%-for-sure not have an issue.

 

[jd950]

I'm suprised vigilante groups of divers haven't started cracking the heads of robbers in Curacao or Bonaire.

or

Started going to a friendlier, safer, diver friendly country.

Assuming a particular diver was willing to risk spending a substantial part of their dive trip dealing with the police following an assault on a local, that diver might take some sort of action IF they caught the person. I don't know how likely it is that someone coming on shore from a dive is likely to sneak up on a thief breaking into cars and trucks.

If anyone can suggest a Caribbean location with shore diving equal to or better than Curacao and Bonaire, and where these crimes are not an issue, I would love to hear about it. As far as I know, there is no such place.

 

[frostfire]

I had my sneakers stolen while we were diving in Curacao last month. Usually, I wouldnt care...but my prescription custom orthotics were in them...so bye bye $800. I was sooo pissed. Not to mention my feet hurt for the rest of the week.

 

[jbtut]

I'm heading to Curacao on the 22nd. First time on the island and I'm a bit concerned about theft, as it does seem like there is a high rate of theft in the area. Say what you will, but I've never seen another resort specifically use a disclaimer about their own vehicles being stolen from their own lot. I'm pretty handy mechanically (I was a mechanic in a former life) and if it really is that bad I suppose I should disable the vehicle and take a small but critical part with me??? I have room I could easily slip something small and easy (like all the fuses or a plug wire) in my video housing.

Do the local police even care? It's common to use cheap motion sensor deer cameras around the shop as an extra theft ID device. The little ones are pretty light and easy to throw in the luggage. Do you think the local authorities would even care if you showed them pictures of who is breaking in? My guess is that they are the kids of the local cops, or even the cops themselves, just like anywhere else in the Caribbean.

Also, what do you do if you want to take two tanks to a more remote dive spot? How do you keep the tanks you're not using from being stolen? Do you just leave them in the car? I suppose I could borrow a tech diving set up and take two tanks with, but that'd be a huge PITA. Plus I'm not very interested in carrying all that weight in my luggage. What other option is there?

Thanks

 

[Diver OnLu]

Hi jbtut,

The general rule when driving around shore diving on Curacao is: Don't leave any valuables (cameras, cell phones, iPods, passports, flight tickets, money) in the car, and leave the car unlocked. Take with you only what you really need for the day, and leave the rest (in the safe) at your apartment. Use a little water-proof container (available for sale at Ocean Encounters West dive shop / All West) to take money and keys with you during your dives.

So far I never heard of tanks being stolen - thieves are after small electronics and cash money.
Don't worry too much, but take your precautions as described above, and you will be fine!

Greetings from Curacao

Andreas
..:: All West Apartments & Diving, Curacao ::..