Honduras Archives - Page 2 of 11 - Caribbean Safety and Security Net

2024-04-22

3292 – 2024-04-20 – Honduras – Offshore06 – Suspicious Activity

DATE: 2024-04-20 18:30
LOCATION: Honduras – Offshore06
EVENT: Suspicious Activity
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: N/A
SECURED: N/A
DETAILS: A motor yacht moving at 8.2kn was transiting from the San Blas islands, Panama, to the US via the Yucatan channel. At 1830HRS at position 16-21.197N 081-26.630W, approximately 130nm from the NE coast of Honduras in the Thunder Knoll area, they observed a 50-65′ white fishing vessel with beige superstructure at a distance of 1.8nm. The yacht altered course and added speed (8.8kn). Radar indicated that the fishing vessel had significantly increased its speed (8.5kn) and altered its direction to an intercept course. There were no radio communications. As a precaution the yacht went dark (lights and AIS transmit off). Several course changes by the yacht were mirrored by the fishing vessel that continued to track at speed on an intercept course.

The yachts crew prepared in accordance with their previously agreed boarding plan. They readied multiple flares, a spear gun and had already preprogrammed USCG phone numbers in their devices/Starlink. They began to close and secure all access points. PLB’s and EPIRBS were hidden but remained easily accessible to the crew.

After about a half hour of pursuit/evasion the yacht had increased the distance to 2.3nm and the fishing vessel turned around, reduced speed and slowly headed SSW back to the area where it had first been sighted.

The crew notified another vessel traveling behind them about the situation and they chose to alter course 30nm further east. After some distance had been achieved the yacht restored its lights/AIS transmit and continued its passage. They will make a report to officials on arrival.
ID: 3292

2024-03-20

3257 – 2024-03-15 – Honduras – Roatan – West End – Theft

DATE: 2024-03-15 12:01
LOCATION: Honduras – Roatan – West End
EVENT: Theft
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: 2 fishing rods
SECURED: Not Locked
DETAILS: An unlocked yacht on a West End mooring was boarded during daylight (1200-1700HRS) while the owner was away and 2 fishing rods were stolen. Nothing else was taken, other yachts were moored nearby. No police report was made.
ID: 3257

2023-11-14

3128 – 2023-11-14 – Honduras – Utila – East Harbour – Theft

DATE: 2023-11-14 01:00
LOCATION: Honduras – Utila – East Harbour
EVENT: Theft
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: Trolling rod and reel
SECURED: Not Locked
DETAILS: A sailing catamaran moored overnight on one of the installed moorings near shore and the fuel dock in main harbour of Utila. A trolling rod and reel were left unsecured in a rod holder mounted on the stern and were missing in the morning. It wasn’t noticed until shortly after departure, so it was not reported to local authorities.
ID: 3128

2023-04-222023-04-25

3022 – 2023-04-20 – Honduras – Offshore02 – Attempted Piracy

DATE: 2023-04-20 07:30
LOCATION: Honduras – Offshore02
EVENT: Attempted Piracy
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: N/A
SECURED: Does not apply
DETAILS: A yacht transiting north from Providencia, Colombia to Caymans traveled in stealth mode (no lights, AIS Tx) overnight and observed a large fishing vessel on radar. At 0730HRS at position 15° 16.095N 81° 12.270W, approximately 100 miles off the coast, they had visually sighted the large steel vessel to port and it was tracking back and forth in a small area. As the yacht continued on its northly course they noted the fishing vessel had altered course and was now moving on a parallel course but closing the gap. The vessel attempted VHF communications with a trailing buddy boat, and the fishing vessel repeatedly jammed their communications by continuously clicking over them. The buddy boats began using satellite texts. At a distance of about 1 mile the fishing vessel again altered course to intercept directly and put on speed, large amounts of dark smoke were now billowing from its exhaust. The buddy boat issued a pan pan, and the yacht activated their Iridium SOS feature and began voice communications with the emergency response team that included the USCG, Colombian Coast Guard, and the Nicaraguan military. None had assets in the immediate area but maintained continuous voice contact with the crew. The yacht put on all possible speed with sails and engine and turned sharply southeast, and the fishing vessel continued to follow at speed. At 8+knots the yacht was able to slowly increase the separation and after some time the fishing vessel gave up the pursuit, it remained in the area for several hours. Both yachts left the area and returned south.

A full report will be made by the crew at their next port of entry.
ID: 3022

2023-04-192023-04-19

3018 – 2023-04-18 – Honduras – Roatan – Coxen Hole – Assault

DATE: 2023-04-18 02:30
LOCATION: Honduras – Roatan – Coxen Hole
EVENT: Assault
HAND: 1
STOLEN ITEMS: Cash, backpack, cellphone
SECURED: Not Locked
DETAILS: A yacht anchored alone in Coxen Hole. On the second night at 0230HRS two masked and armed men boarded through the lit cockpit/open companionway. They proceeded to tie the crew at gunpoint with braided shoelaces they had brought with them and covered their victim’s face with a tshirt. They ransacked the forward cabin briefly and took cash, a phone and a backpack they had emptied. The boarders spoke a non-Spanish local language and were onboard for only 3-5 minutes before leaving the scene with their accomplices in a panga. The crew was not injured.

A police report was made. No forensics were collected.

The yacht departed later the same day.
ID: 3018