Caribbean Safety and Security Net
Know Before You Go
Part of the Greater Antilles
DATE: 2023-11-23 18:30
LOCATION: Dominican Republic – Luperon
EVENT: Theft
HAND: 2
STOLEN ITEMS: Local yola / 15HP 2S outboard (yola recovered minus engine)
SECURED: Not Locked
DETAILS: A local vendor left his yola (an open boat) on the marina dock. Witnesses later indicated they saw it being towed out through the anchorage to the mangroves around 1830HRS. The yola was later recovered minus its 15HP 2S engine. A report was made to the marina and port captain.
ID: 3149
CSSN has removed incident 3094 from our site and data archives. We have learned that the incident was reported accurately to us, and by us, but is of quite a different nature than originally thought.
Prompted by the CSSN ALERT! Peter Swanson of Loose Cannon investigated further and summarized the situation here. The Dominican Republic Navy was conducting a planned drug interdiction and mistakenly thought the wholly innocent “victim” sportfishing vessel was their target when they chased and fired upon it. Both the USCG who, when contacted, provided safe escort and the DR Navy claim they are conducting full investigations of the matter. The results have not yet been made available to the victim or CSSN.
CSSN has elected to withdraw this report as it is not a bonafide act of intended piracy. Hopefully robust protocols and training will be put in place by the DR Navy to ensure safe passage for all innocent transiting vessels.
DATE: 2023-01-17 00:00
LOCATION: Dominican Republic – Luperon
EVENT: Theft
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: 15HP Yamaha outboard, model E15DMH SN 1143491
SECURED: Locked
DETAILS: Owners were not onboard when their 15HP Yamaha was stolen from the stern rail. The thief removed the bolts that held the wooden supports the engine was mounted on/locked to and stole the entire assembly. The theft was reported to the Coast Guard, Port Captain and on the local VHF net.
ID: 2964
DATE: 2022-12-10 10:00
LOCATION: Dominican Republic – Bayahibe
EVENT: Theft
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: 16kg (33Lbs) fluke anchor
SECURED: Not Locked
DETAILS: A yacht anchored in Bayahibe, in six meters of water, in the middle of the charter catamaran buoys. A secondary anchor was attached as a kellet to the chain to add some weight and reduce swing. The secondary anchor was suspended 5 meters below the vessel, one meter above sand.
At 0800HRS the secondary anchor was clearly visible on the chain. At 1200HRS, the anchor was missing. There was no wind, no boat swinging, no swell. The crew had remained onboard all morning.
The crew did a thorough search for the anchor (several hours), nothing could be found, not where they boat lay or in vicinity. The shackle used to attach the anchor was easily found laying on the surface of the sand, in two parts, exactly where the boat was standing.
ID: 2937
DATE: 2022-03-05 21:30
LOCATION: Dominican Republic – Boca Chica
EVENT: Burglary
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: Cash, credit card, computer and speakers
SECURED: Locked
DETAILS: Owners discovered that their cruising yacht berthed at Marina Zar Par was burgled during the 8 weeks that they were away. Thieves stole cash, credit cards, a computer and speakers from the locked yacht. A report was made to the marina manager before the yacht departed.
ID: 2789