MARIGOT--A well-known French charter boat skipper who operated his business from St. Martin for most of the year has been murdered by pirates in the province of La Guaraia, Venezuela, close to the capital of Caracas, Venezuelan authorities have reported. St. Martin resident Philippe Leudière was shot by pirates some time during the night or early morning of September 14-15 while his Lagoon 410 catamaran Chrysalide was at anchor in the port of Caraballeda.
The Venezuelan Prosecutor's Office confirmed Leudière had died from four gunshot wounds following a raid on the boat by "several armed individuals." It was reported the pirates had escaped with an undetermined amount in bolivars and US dollars.
Leudière and his family had left St. Martin to go South, as many cruisers do in the summer to escape the hurricane season. He had been operating his charter business for four years and was based at Marina Fort Louis.
He leaves to mourn his wife Catherine and an 11-year-old son. A close friend said he had been chatting with Leudière on Skype only a week ago and the family had been very pleased to find "a quiet and agreeable anchorage."
According the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this is the fourth act of piracy against French nationals cruising in the region since the beginning of the year. Its travel advisory strongly cautions against cruising the coast of Venezuela or visiting the island of Margarita, because of an increase in attacks.
The management of Marina Fort Louis and many friends have extended their condolences to the family.