DATE: 2023-03-26 00:30 LOCATION: Panama – Portobello EVENT: Assault HAND: 2 STOLEN ITEMS: nothing of value SECURED: DETAILS: PRELIMINARY REPORT – A yacht crew was awoken by their dog when they were boarded by 2 men armed with guns and knives. A fight ensued, and the 3 crew sustained numerous cuts and bruises. The thieves departed without anything of value. A VHF call for assistance was made, with no response. The local police were called but were slow to respond. No further details are currently available.
CSSN NOTE: We will update this report when victims are able to make a firsthand report. ID: 3011
Preparing to transit the Panama canal eastbound, a cruising monohull with 4 persons onboard anchored in Las Perlas at about 1100HRS. No other boats were nearby. Just after dark at about 1930HRS four young Spanish speaking men armed with guns and machetes boarded from a quiet (paddled) but motorized panga. One crew member took the handheld VHF and locked themselves into the head, and activated DSC. The door was immediately broken down, the radio silenced and taken from the crew. One crew member was hit over the head and back with a pistol and all were made to lie on the floor at gunpoint while the yacht was aggressively ransacked. Much damage was done to the yachts interior cabinets, doors, and drawers. The cables to the radios and autopilot display were cut.
The thieves were onboard for approximately 1.5 hours and stole cash, wallets, electronics, phones, jewelry, foul weather gear, lifejackets, clothing, alcohol and fuel jugs containing gasoline. A full inventory has not been completed.
The dog was missing and presumed to have been pushed overboard or taken. After searching unsuccessfully for the dog for about 20 minutes and confirming the yacht was safely operable, they departed for Panama City. On arrival a crew member was taken for medical care and a report was made to Aeronaval. No forensics were taken at that time.
The US consulate was advised of this event and a full report is planned.
This is the second cruising yacht boarded/assaulted in Las Perlas recently. See the prior incident here.
DATE: 2022-12-21 03:00 LOCATION: Panama – San Blas – Cambombia EVENT: Theft HAND: 1 STOLEN ITEMS: kayak SECURED: Not Locked DETAILS: Overnight an in-the-water and not locked green/yellow kayak was stolen, the yacht was anchored near the island of Cambombia. The kayak was well tied up, and not even the rope remained. A reward has been offered. ID: 2945
DATE: 2022-12-17 04:00 LOCATION: Panama – Portobello EVENT: Theft HAND: 1 STOLEN ITEMS: AB inflatable dinghy 2,80m and Yamaha enduro 15hp SECURED: Locked DETAILS: Between 0330-0500HRs an in-the-water but locked dinghy/outboard was stolen from an occupied yacht at anchor. A report was made to the Aeronaval (Coast Guard) and the police. ID: 2940
DATE: 2022-10-28 02:00 LOCATION: Panama – Bocas del Toro EVENT: Theft HAND: 2 STOLEN ITEMS: pinero / 85 HP Yamaha SECURED: Locked DETAILS: A locked pinero was stolen from a dock in Bocas (town) , and found engineless a few days later on Solarte. A police report was made ID: 2909
