The U.S. crew vacationing aboard SK Abenga, a catamaran chartered through the Moorings base in Placencia, Belize, in the western Caribbean, was attacked at Pelican Cayes during a recent bareboat trip, according to reports on News 5 Belize and a post on Noonsite. The attack occurred March 18 in the area off Pelican Cayes, more than 10 miles north of the charter boat base. Four crew were hospitalized for varying degrees of injuries; one of the women, in her sixties, was raped, according to one report. No arrests have been made.
Through a spokesperson, the Moorings confirmed that an incident took place aboard a boat in its fleet. “An investigation is ongoing and we will be able to comment further once we have all the facts in hand,” said marketing manager Carol Hansen. “Our primary concern at this time is to respect the privacy and wellbeing of the guests concerned and the safety of our guests and staff locally … all of the charterers from this yacht have now left Belize.”
