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Miami Vice<br />
Strictly Sail is the sailboat section of<br />
the long established Miami<br />
International Boat Show. Held<br />
between 12-17 February, it gave<br />
the <strong>Oyster</strong> USA team and a lot of visitors<br />
from the US East Coast and across the<br />
States, a chance to escape the winter and<br />
get some sunshine. This is the show where<br />
you can see 100 mph powerboats and a<br />
selection of fishing gear that would have<br />
Jaws running for cover. The sailboat section<br />
has grown and includes a reasonable<br />
selection of European and US builders who<br />
can be split into two groups – those that<br />
have shoal draft options and those that wish<br />
they had! Most Florida sailors need shoal<br />
draft for the Intercoastal Waterway, the<br />
Bahamas and Florida Cays, which are all<br />
predominantly shoal water areas. And yes –<br />
all <strong>Oyster</strong> yachts offer a shoal draft variant<br />
and you will see a fair number of <strong>Oyster</strong>s in<br />
Florida waters.<br />
20,000 MILES<br />
FOR OYSTER 55<br />
We were delighted to hear from Japanese<br />
owner, Jyunya Hirose, who recently<br />
completed 20,000 miles cruising in his <strong>Oyster</strong><br />
55, Magelen Major VII. Jyunja, who took<br />
delivery of his new 55 in 1996, marked the<br />
occasion with a party, in Japan, for friends<br />
and crew and passed on his gratitude to<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> for "A wonderful sailing yacht, that<br />
has shown excellent performance and<br />
durability on our long ocean voyage".<br />
Thank you Jyunja.<br />
A Lucky Escape<br />
Is Marigot Bay a safe place<br />
for Cruising Couples?<br />
ROBERT AND SUE DAVIS HAD A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE ABOARD<br />
THEIR OYSTER 406 SUNDAY'S CHILD.<br />
Overnight on 14 February 2004, while at anchor in Marigot Bay, St Lucia, they were boarded and<br />
attacked by two natives who swam to the yacht and climbed aboard while they slept. As a retired<br />
couple, Robert and Sue were overpowered, tied up and robbed of what cash they had on board<br />
at knifepoint. The assailants made off in the yacht's tender, which was later recovered.<br />
Altogether a highly traumatic experience that could so easily have ended in tragedy.<br />
With hindsight Robert offers the following observations:<br />
• Be aware that the boat boys or guys going around on surf boards with a few bananas for sale<br />
are not always selling bananas (Quote from the local constable)<br />
• Our companionway hatch was open. Make it difficult/impossible for these guys to get below.<br />
• We had a reasonable amount of cash on board, I dread to think what would have happened if<br />
we had not had enough to satisfy these guys.<br />
• Do not have a light on in the cockpit; it works entirely to their advantage.<br />
COMMENT FROM RICHARD MATTHEWS<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> <strong>News</strong> aims to be an upbeat publication so we are wary of publishing ‘bad news’<br />
stories but we felt we owed it to Robert and Sue Davis to sound a note of caution to<br />
other owners. If any <strong>Oyster</strong> owner would like a full transcript of Robert’s report,<br />
email: liz.whitman@oystermarine.com. If any owners know of other attacks please let us<br />
know. On a personal note don’t underestimate the strength and determination of Robert's<br />
attackers. As it happens I have known Robert, an ex British Marine, since childhood –<br />
he is not the kind of guy that would just roll over to have his tummy tickled!<br />
The ARC finishes in St Lucia and lots of yachts visit Marigot Bay. The beach, with a palm tree<br />
background, has served for many an <strong>Oyster</strong> photo shoot. It’s the location where Rex Harrison<br />
‘talked to the animals’ in the movie Dr. Doolittle, hence Doolittle’s is the local bar.<br />
www.oystermarine.com 7
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