A Bermudian member of the US Coast Guard has expressed his disgust after two Coast Guard officers were attacked and robbed in St. George's last week.

Petty Officer Bryan Morris said the attack on the officers at a parking lot on King's Square last Monday night was an embarrassment, and the Island could not afford the negative publicity.

The 21 and 22-year-old sailors were members of the Coast Guard vessel Dallas and were on the Island for rest and relaxation when they were attacked by a gang of youths. One received a broken nose and the other had cuts to his face and elbow.

In a letter to The Royal Gazette, Mr. Morris, who is a communications officer stationed in Atlantic City, New Jersey, writes: “I would like to express my disgust and embarrassment.

“No favouritism involved, I have read other stories of locals being stabbed and old women being beaten (which is totally incomprehensible!) and now something else Bermuda can add to it's growing list of senseless crimes - robbing people that work for a life-saving service.

“The US Coast Guard is an exemplary service. These are men and women who perform mission after life-saving mission to save the lives of complete strangers, and the professionalism and courtesy of these people is immeasurable.

“I know people that serve and have served on the Dallas in the past. Have you any idea how embarrassing it is to talk about Bermuda in such high regards, only to hear of a fellow service member being robbed and beaten?

“Bermuda cannot afford to have this bad publicity. It is safe to assume the CO of the Dallas is not impressed and maybe he won't waste time and effort to go to Bermuda in the future.”

Mr. Morris said he grew up in Middletown, Pembroke and it was a “cop-out” for criminals to blame their social environment for their behaviour.

Bermudian sailor Robert (Bobby) Lambe, who was rescued last month after 20 hours at sea with the help of the US Coast Guard, condemned the attack, but said he did not know any details about the incident.

“It's bad that they got beaten up. These things should not happen at all, but I don't know anything about the circumstances or what might have provoked it, so I can't comment,” he said.

Mr. Lambe was rescued after the New Nuts fishing boat sank in high seas after being hit by a huge wave. Fellow crew members Michael Battersbee and Alan Edness were not found.