Caribbean Safety and Security Net
Know Before You Go
Part of Colombia & Central America
DATE: 2025-05-28 23:00
LOCATION: Colombia – Cartegena
EVENT: Theft
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: Dinghy / outboard, fuel tank/hose
SECURED: secured – locked
DETAILS: Overnight while owners slept onboard, a thief stole their in-the water and chain locked dinghy/outboard. They also boarded the yacht and stole the fuel tank/hose from the cockpit.
A report was made to the marina.
ID: 3668
CSSN NEWS 2024-10-02
UPDATE: This yacht was located in good condition on the Serrana Bank, approximately 90 miles NE of Isla Providencia, Colombia. CSSN has informed the owner and he is now working with local and Colombian Coast Guards to affect recovery. Indications are that the yacht mooring failed. This incident has been removed from the CSSN database.
DATE: 2024-08-10 01:20
LOCATION: Martinique (France) – Schoelcher
EVENT: Theft
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: SV Tethis 2
SECURED: N/A
DETAILS: The yacht Tethis 2 moored in Schoelcher, Martinique, was stolen from its mooring overnight. The owner was not onboard. A report was made to the police and CrossAg. Report any sightings to local officials.
ID: 3357
DATE: 2024-03-27 20:30
LOCATION: Colombia – Cabo de la Vela
EVENT: Attempted Robbery
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: Unsuccessful
SECURED: N/A
DETAILS: A yacht made an unplanned stop at 1700HRS at Cabo de Las Vela to wait for more favorable sailing conditions, planning to depart at 0300HRS. No other yachts were anchored there. At 2030HRS they heard voices and found three masked men in a boat tied to their stern. Communications were difficult but the boarders were clearly told NO and asked, then told to leave.
The boarders were becoming more aggressive. The crew had prepared with bear spray, and used it on the first man who continued his attempt to climb aboard. He retreated but a second man began to board. They were using/swinging large poles in an attempt to subdue the crew. Both crew then shot more bear spray and the 3 men finally retreated to their boat and departed.
The crew made a VHF call (no response) and immediately departed.
ID: 3264
DATE: 2023-12-29 08:00
LOCATION: Colombia – Offshore
EVENT: Piracy
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: batteries,cables,sails,fenders +++
SECURED: N/A
DETAILS: A singlehander departed Santa Marta, Colombia, for the San Blas islands (Panama) and was attacked by pirates about 5 miles offshore Barranquilla, Colombia. The 3 pirates boarded and attacked the captain, beating him and then stabbing him with a knife they found onboard. They made 3 trips to his boat over a few hours time and stole many things including batteries, cables, sails, blocks, fenders +++ and they destroyed electronics.
The captain was able to make phone contact with a friend in his home country between visits and they contacted their local rescue authorities who then made contact with the Colombian Coast Guard.
The injured captain continued to repel the pirates’ later visits with a hammer and flares, and cut a line they were using in an attempt to tow him toward shore. The pirates finally gave up. The Colombian Coast Guard arrived at the yacht about 30 minutes after the final visit by the pirates and provided assistance and then towed the yacht back to Santa Marta marina where the captain was taken by ambulance to the hospital, treated and kept overnight.
Reports were made to the Coast Guard and the marina.
ID: 3196
DATE: 2023-12-22 22:30
LOCATION: Colombia – Santa Marta – Taganga Bay
EVENT: Assault
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: Everything – electronics ( InReach, laptop, phones ), cash, tools +++
SECURED: Does not apply
DETAILS: A yacht anchored alone in the bay was boarded by four masked men each armed with a handgun at 2230HRS. The captain was pistol whipped and crew held at gunpoint while the boat was ransacked. The attackers demanded the drugs they thought were onboard. They stole electronics (inReach, laptop, phones), cash and jewelry, plus other assorted items.
The thieves were unable to steal the well secured dinghy as the keys were lost in the mess they created. Some of the thieves paddled their unpowered boat ashore to unload the stolen items and returned for more and their companions. The entire event lasted about an hour. The captain self-treated his head wounds.
A report to consular officials was planned, and the boat left the bay.
ID: 3176