Fatal voyage of Well Deserved
What can we learn from this tragedy?
--Georgs
Tom and Jackie Hawks huddled on a bed in the cabin of their yacht,
miles off the coast of California, handcuffed, muzzled and
blindfolded.
"I don't want to die," Jackie pleaded, her words muffled by duct
tape. "I have a new grandchild in Arizona. I want to see him."
Her husband leaned back, reaching for her hand, trying to calm her.
Three armed assailants loomed over the Prescott couple, ordering
them to sign title documents for the boat, demanding all their bank
account information. Jackie wept, trembling. Tom remained stoic.
They were bound to each other, marched onto the deck at night, tied
to an anchor. It was thrown overboard, yanking the Hawkses along.
Jackie's head bounced off the deck before she and Tom splashed into
the ocean and sank 3,600 feet.
Their bodies have never been found.
For the full story, go to the site of the Arizona Republic:
Re: the story about the couple who were murdered while selling their
boat
Georgs asked "... What can we learn from this tragedy?"
Last night, after reading this article, I happened to be reading insurance
proposals, and noticed that the insurance company is requiring "Minimum (3)
experienced persons on board vessel for all offshore passages of more than
forty-eight (48) hours duration."
99% of the time, my wife and I cruise alone. When we do have another couple
on board, it is generally family, who may not qualify as "experienced
persons."
This means we need to make longer passages without insurance, or hire crew
from time to time. Actually, with or without the insurance requirement, it
does make sense to have more than two persons on board for longer-passages,
and finding a friend or family-member is not always possible.
We have had some exceptionally bad experiences with hired crew. As well as
you may think you know someone, or as clean-cut as they may seem, unless you
take the time to research their background, there can easily be "surprises."
Reading this article reinforced in my mind the necessity of doing background
checks on all crew members coming aboard. I haven't quite figured how I'll
do this, but at a minimum I'd like to know if they have a criminal record,
or substance abuse issues, and you can't assume they are going to tell you.
-Ken Williams
Nordhavn68.com
For those who can afford it, it would be wise to engage a private
investigation firm to do a background check. The credit history of a person
can tell you allot about that person - and I emphasize history. A criminal
background check is of course helpful, except in the case of some youthful
offenders in small localities where the crimes are not reported by the
Sherriff.
A rigorous interview based upon the submission of a written personal history
is often enough. Any time there is a conflict in the information provided or
there are gaps - these are the things to hone in on. After reviewing a man's
personal history with him, there were conflicts he could not explain. This
man was a truly lovely fellow to be around. I highlighted these conflicts
and sent his file to a higher headquarters asking them to pursue this
matter. As a result, the FBI removed a rather charming, armed bank robber
from the streets of Charlotte, NC. You can do this - never be in a hurry!
Ron Rogers
Now conversing with dogs, looking for conflicts.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Williams" kenw@seanet.com
| Reading this article reinforced in my mind the necessity of doing
background
| checks on all crew members coming aboard. I haven't quite figured how I'll
| do this, but at a minimum I'd like to know if they have a criminal record,
| or substance abuse issues, and you can't assume they are going to tell
you.
|
| -Ken Williams
| Nordhavn68.com