Press Release Venezuelan Intervention with Apuejbien

  On Sunday, November 13, 2011, Tampa residents, Camille and Jerome Harris, along with their grandson, Terence Harris, were navigating their sailing vessel west along the north coast of Los Roques, Venezuela, approximately 2 miles north of “Los Canquises”, in route to Bonaire,  Netherlands Antilles. They had checked out of VZ Customs and Immigration at Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, two days earlier in order to continue their passage to Bonaire.  At approximately 2:30 PM they were hailed by Venezuelan Coast Guard Patrol vessel, Fumarel, captained by Armando Soriano Martinez in what appeared to be a routine check.
Upon request the Harris’ provided Venezuelan Captain with the name of their vessel, Apuej Bien as well as additional information.  Notwithstanding, the Venezuelan Coast Guard Captain Armando Soriano Martinez, demanded that they return to El Grand Roque Island,  15 miles east of the location they had been hailed, under VZ Coast Guard escort. 

   The series of events that followed resulted in their sailing vessel running aground; with this family's life and safety being placed in critical danger as they had to abandon their vessel.  After running aground the vessel listed on a 45 degree angle and was being violently rocked by breaking waves and current. The escorting VZ Patrol Boat, which was directing the sailing vessel course of travel prior to this incident, did absolutely nothing to assist the floundering vessel and/or its crew safe rescue.  The Harris’ had less than three minutes to grab flashlights, additional PFD’s and their SAT Phone prior to jumping into the dinghy,  at the time when the sun was about to set and it was getting dark.  They were rescued one hour later, or should we say they assisted in their own rescue, after the escorting Coast Guard Patrol vessel had to call upon a locally based Coast Guard Unit for assistance.   Since the local Coast Guard Unit could not reach their location on the nearby beach in the night, the Harris family had to re-launch their dinghy and travel to the rescue vessel across the reef and rocks.  S/Y Apuej Bien remains aground and has since been burglarized and vandalized as the Venezuelan Coast Guard failed to secure this vessel which was under their charge at the time of this event. 

Jerome M Harris

Captain/owner

SY Apuej BIEN