Haiti - Security

ALERTS:

• The situation in Haiti is unstable, with gang violence paralysing the country.  Supplies of fuel, food and water are very limited and cholera is rife. Cruising there should not be attempted at this time.
  
• A powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the SW of Haiti on Saturday 14 August, 2021. The city of Les Cayes suffered the most damage.
• A State of Emergency was declared throughout the country following the assassination of President Moise on 7 July 2021.

Overall Crime and Safety:

Haiti had appealed for international help to tackle growing lawlessness. About 300 gangs are active across Haiti and 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, is under gang control. These groups have taken increasing control of the city since the assassination of the country's president in 2021 threw Haiti into a political crisis. The current prime minister has now resigned (March 2024), as law and order collapses.

While violence and crime occurred in the past in certain neighbourhoods of Port-au-Prince and other large towns, it's no longer safe to cruise on the fringes.

The ports for Haiti listed on Noonsite have been visited by cruising sailors in the past and were previously reported to be safe. The locals in these ports are very serious about keeping them safe and charming for visitors: their livelihood depends on it. It is hoped there will come a time when it's safe to visit these ports by sailboat once again.

Maritime Issues:

[Note this is information pre the current crisis]

The rate of violence to cruisers is some of the lowest and infrequent in the Caribbean.

In 2015, two attacks on cruising boats, both violent in nature, occurred in Haiti. While these were quite serious, there have been no reports since then against any cruisers.

Based on reports to Noonsite from cruisers, petty theft from yachts is on the rise in the Caribbean in general. Cruisers should take basic safety precautions and use common sense when leaving the boat or going ashore at night. Dinghy thieves operate throughout the Caribbean and the best advice is to place your dinghy on deck and chain it overnight.

The Caribbean Safety and Security Net provide information by anchorage or by the island. If you experience a boarding, robbery or attack on your yacht or have information about a yachting-related security incident, go to the CSSN homepage and click on the “Report an Incident” icon.

Be sure to check related security reports for Haiti.

Last updated:  March 2024