Research fellow at the Australian National Center for Ocean Resources and Security, Dr. Sam Bateman, said the number of attacks on pleasure craft is small in the Pacific.
However, he said the risk of attacks, especially robberies could increase if there is a breakdown in law and order in any Pacific nation and warns travelers to take precautions.
“I think the type of attack that’s likely to occur in the Pacific islands on cruising yachts, is not going to be one that’s going to be threatening lives — they’re just going to be people who’re going to rob you for what valuables you might have,” he said.
