American Humanitarians Attacked by Pirate on St. Lucia Coast

May 6, 2010 - PRLog -- A peaceful cruise for family and friends in St. Lucia turned violent on April 28th, 2010 when members of the Humanitarian Ventures Foundation were accosted by a man wielding a machete.

The group, consisting of American medical professionals, was embarked on a combined family vacation and humanitarian mission; visiting communities among the Caribbean Islands in need of medical supplies or services. Cruising one-half mile north of Soufriere Bay on the morning of April 28th, the group’s boat was approached by another vessel. Inside that boat a man was shouting angrily and demanding money from the Americans.

Dan Teasdale, founder of Humanitarian Ventures Foundation, recognized the man as one who tried to sell him an illegal mooring ball the day before. “He wanted to collect money from us for mooring on a blue and white mooring ball, which we knew belonged to the St. Lucia Marine Management Association.” Teasdale stated. The group refused to pay the man for the mooring ball.

Teasdale and his crew watched as the enraged man pulled out a machete and attempted to board Teasdale’s boat. “He began swinging the machete, cutting our fishing lines, stole our fishing pole and attempting to slice one of our crew members.” Teasdale sent out an immediate distress call to the French Coast Guard, who sent the St. Lucia Police Marine Unit.

The offender left before police arrived and his boat later found to be stolen from a St. Lucia resident. The man was not apprehended. “We had children on our boat and we were attempting to do something good for the people here,” Teasdale shared. “I hope this act of piracy is pursued by the St. Lucia officials and brought to justice.”

The Humanitarian Ventures Foundation (http://www.humanitarianventuresfoundation.org) is a non-profit group of dedicated medical professionals who donate medical supplies, medical services and money for ambulances and medical necessities in needy areas. The Foundation hopes to make several additional trips this year to locate other communities in need of medical assistance.

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About The Humanitarian Ventures Foundation: Humanitarian Ventures Foundation is a non-profit group of dedicated medical professionals who donate medical supplies, medical services and money for ambulances and medical necessities in needy areas. The Foundation hopes to make several additional trips this year to locate other communities in need of medical assistance.