3196 – 2023-12-29 – Colombia – Offshore – Piracy

 

CSSN Report
CSSN First Hand Report

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

3176 – 2023-12-22 – Colombia – Santa Marta – Taganga Bay – Assault

 

CSSN Report
CSSN First Hand Report

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

3101 – 2023-09-23 – Colombia – Santa Marta – Taganga Bay – Theft

 

CSSN Report
CSSN First Hand Report

DATE: 2023-09-23 10:00
LOCATION: Colombia – Santa Marta – Taganga Bay
EVENT: Theft
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: 5 large fenders
SECURED: Not Locked
DETAILS: A yacht was anchored alone in Taganga bay. Between 0600-1200HRS, while they were onboard, their 5 large fenders were stolen, each line had been silently cut.

Reports were made to the police and coast guard.
ID: 3101

3086 – 2023-05-19 – Colombia – Isla Tortuguilla – Assault

 

CSSN Report
CSSN First Hand Report

DATE: 2023-05-19 22:00
LOCATION: Colombia – Isla Tortuguilla
EVENT: Assault
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: Cell phones, laptops, outboard and small items.
SECURED: Does not apply
DETAILS: A yacht transiting from Panama to Cartagena anchored late in the day to overnight at Isla Tortuguilla. There were no other boats anchored there. They closed up and locked the boat for the night. At 2200HRs several men armed with automatic weapons arrived in an open boat with 40HP outboard and boarded.

The captain reluctantly opened up and the men ransacked the yacht. They collected valuables and then with a blast of gunfire forced all of the crew into the open boat and took them ashore where they were held hostage at gunpoint overnight. The crew was treated roughly but there were no physical injuries. The youngest crew member was handcuffed and then “interviewed” by the leader. The thieves seemed to think the crew was involved in drug smuggling, but found no drugs. They made it clear visitors were not welcome.

The next morning, the thieves returned the hostages to the yacht and released them, and stole the outboard engine.

The crew departed and plans to make a report to their consular officials.
ID: 3086

3031 – 2023-05-27 – Colombia – San Andres – San Andres Harbor – Attempted Robbery

 

CSSN Report
CSSN First Hand Report

DATE: 2023-05-27 04:15
LOCATION: Colombia – San Andres – San Andres Harbor
EVENT: Attempted Robbery
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: None, not successful
SECURED: Not Locked

DETAILS: After several weeks in the anchorage with several other occupied boats nearby, owners heard noise and discovered 2 men onboard their boat at 0415HRS.

The leader was armed with a handgun and pointed it into the dark and unlocked companionway. The captain surprised and challenged him and the second man retreated immediately to join a third man who started the engine in their waiting speedboat. The leader also retreated when he apparently realized his companions might leave him behind. The attempted robbery was not successful, nothing was taken, and there were no injuries.

The crew shot off a flare to illuminate the departing criminals and immediately contacted authorities ashore. The police tracked the speedboat and detained a suspect. They recovered a weapon that is being tested for forensics. A formal report was made the next day to the Police and Port Captain as well as the Coast Guard and Navy. An investigation is underway.
ID: 3031

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