Caribbean Safety and Security Net
Know Before You Go
Part of Columbia & Central America
DATE: 2019-09-03 23:00
Country Name: Honduras
Location Detail: Roatan West End
EVENT: Theft
HAND: 1
Stolen Items: Dinghy outboard, 2.5 HP
SECURED: Not Locked
DETAILS: One of two yachts in the anchorage discovered that the 2.5 HP unlocked outboard had been removed from their in-the-water dinghy overnight. The yachts’ crew normal practice was to remove the engine at night, but they did not do so on this night and an opportunistic thief took advantage.
DATE: 2019-06-27 00:00
Country Name: Honduras
Location Detail: NE of Gorda Bank and 215nm East of Guanaja
EVENT: Attempted Piracy
HAND: 1
Stolen Items: None
SECURED: N/A
DETAILS: A monohull transiting from Providencia, Colombia to the Bay Islands, Honduras was approached by a white pilothouse fishing vessel ~ 45ft on June 27 at 00:00, position 16 20.486′ N 82 57.469′ W. The yacht deviated to starboard 20 degrees and the fishing vessel matched course change to follow. The yacht again deviated to starboard and started their engine and increased speed to 8 knots. The suspect vessel again took an intercept course and closed to within 150ft, then matched the yacht’s speed and tried to come along aside. At this point, the yacht released sails and made a hard turn to port, passing behind the stern of the other vessel. They shut off all lights, changed course again and motorsailed at 8 knots away from the vessel. The suspect vessel initially turned to follow but did not increase speed and eventually resumed its original course. No attempt to contact on VHF 16 was made by either vessel. The sailboat continued its course to Roatan and encountered suspicious activity the following night (see related report). A report was made to the Port Captain in Roatan after arrival.
DATE: 2019-06-28 00:00
Country Name: Honduras
Location Detail: NE of Gorda Bank and 87nm East of Guanaja
EVENT: Suspicious activity
HAND: 1
Stolen Items: None
SECURED: N/A
DETAILS: A sailing vessel enroute from Providencia, Colombia to the Bay Islands, Honduras at 16 27.700′ N 84 50.914′ W at 22:45 sighted two boats off their bow approximately 5 nm away. The crew on the vessel began monitoring a conversation on VHF 16 in Spanish involving three boats after hearing the word “velero” (sailboat). The VHF conversation eventually seemed to suggest that a plan was being made to attack the yacht. One of the captains was heard to say “I have no fish in my boat, let’s see if we can put something else in it.” At this point, the yacht went dark and changed course 60-90 degrees to starboard. After about 30 minutes, one of the vessels that had been sighted was determined to be approaching on an intercepting course. This boat was raised on the bow and the stern like a typical Caribbean steel fishing boat of ~60 feet. About 1 hour later at 16 29.157’N, 84 58.678’W, the vessel had approached within 500ft but then stopped. VHF 16 conversation resumed with one captain calling the other two boats, only one of which responded to hails. The yacht continued its course at maximum speed, with no further pursuit. A report was made to the port captain in Roatan after arrival.
DATE: 2019-03-25 09:30
Country Name: Honduras
Location Detail: Roatan North Coast
EVENT: Theft
HAND: 1
Stolen Items: 3 ipads, 1 iPhone, liquor, clothing, sunglasses,
SECURED: Not Locked
DETAILS: Owners left their catamaran unlocked to go diving, and on their return discovered wet footprints onboard. The swimmer had brought a dry bag and had stolen 3 iPads, an iPhone, liquor, sunglasses, clothing and shoes. The owners found footprints and drag marks for the bag ashore. The police were notified.
DATE: 2019-04-03 20:00
Country Name: Honduras
Location Detail: Guanaja El Bight
EVENT: Theft
HAND: 2
Stolen Items: snorkel gear
SECURED: Not Locked
DETAILS: Snorkel gear was stolen from a catamaran’s (not locked) topside lounge. Police were informed, and were responsive. With the assistance of local businesses, the police held a community meeting, including visiting cruisers, to address concerns about recent instances of petty theft from yachts.