As anyone following the Puddle Jumpers’ forum this year may have seen, multiple boats docked in Papeete Marina have once again been boarded and items stolen. As you may see from a previous post, we were boarded at night last year and items and cash stolen.

This happened to us again this year; the same pattern, with easily carried electronics stolen – my laptop was ignored, but phones and iPads taken as well as all the cash from my purse. Credit cards were left alone, but this time my driver’s licence was taken (not very useful to someone in Papeete unless they are a shortish, blondish, midddle agedish Australian!!)

We were in the centre of the marina this time, not on the outer edge. The door was probably not locked, but was closed. We heard nothing of course. The marina staff seemed shocked that we had been boarded in that position, but there have been other reports on the forum since.

The police took a statement – one of our guests speaks French so that helped, but told us it is a common occurrence. Youths taking phones and money was their assessment. They were helpful but didn’t seem hopeful of getting things back.

Security is no different from last year, although the pontoon by the marina office is not being used officially due to building works. It would seem easy to approach the marina in a kayak or an outrigger canoe and leave the same way.

trishe