DATE: 2024-10-10 03:30 LOCATION: Venezuela – Offshore03 EVENT: Assault HAND: 1 STOLEN ITEMS: None SECURED: Does not apply DETAILS: A monohull singlehander departed Grenada for Colombia. Unfortunately bad weather and rough conditions led to equipment failures and some injuries(broken ribs). At position 12-09.3N and 069-34.8W, approximately 40 nmiles from Venezuela and 50nmiles from Aruba at 0330HRs the captain was motorsailing with AIS Tx OFF and only the anchor light showing. No other vessels/lights were visible to the yacht.
The captain was injured when a bullet crossed from the port side, into the open cockpit enclosure, passed in front of his face and ricocheted off the cockpit enclosure frame and then grazed his hand. No vessels could be seen nearby, no further shots were fired, and no vessel approached. The captain diverted north to Aruba and contacted port control on arrival. He was met by the Coast Guard, three of them boarded, provided assistance in anchoring and took a report. The normal inspections were made. The captain treated his own injuries and did not require medical assistance. ID: 3394
DATE: 2022-05-25 23:30 LOCATION: Venezuela – Offshore01 EVENT: Suspicious Activity HAND: 1 STOLEN ITEMS: N/A SECURED: Does not apply DETAILS: Two yachts transited together from Grenada to Bonaire, with lights and AIS ON, on a planned course 80-100 miles off the mainland and well north of the offshore Venezuelan islands. At about 2130HRS they had an unusual VHF communication initiated by a passing cargo vessel, warning them of “bad weather ahead” and inquiring about their destination and the number of persons onboard (POB). The yacht responded that they were 2 boats traveling together to Bonaire, ignoring the POB question.
Shorty thereafter, at position 13-14N 65-35W, about 120 miles NW of Isla Blanquilla they observed 2 small fishing type boats following, and over a 2 hour period the suspect boats had closed to within about 100 meters, and between the 2 yachts, which had been traveling on parallel courses about 1 mile apart. The yacht notified their buddy boat by VHF, both powered up their engines, put on speed and made a course change, moving closer together. Both yachts continued onto Bonaire without further incident. ID: 2805
DATE: 2021-09-15 08:30 LOCATION: Venezuela-Nearshore Islands – Paria Peninsula – Offshore EVENT: Piracy HAND: 1 STOLEN ITEMS: Cash, food, alcohol, liferaft, clothing, shoes, sunglasses, phone charger SECURED: Does not apply DETAILS: A single handed yacht on passage from Curacao to Brazil having passed well north of Margarita Island, Venezuela, was boarded at 0830HRS by Spanish speaking pirates 15 miles offshore the Paria Peninsula at position 10-58.744N 062-38.279W along the north eastern coast of Venezuela.
Initially two (2) open boats with multiple large, new outboards and twenty (20) men took control. The pirates were all armed with automatic weapons and handguns. They beat the captain and forced his yacht close to shore in this remote and sparsely populated area. There was a well established house/camp and other armed men visible ashore. Two (2) additional boats (total 4) and men (total 40) then spent four (4) hours threatening the captain with their weapons and ransacking/searching the yacht while he was forced to circle close to shore. The pirates repeatedly demanded cash, which was surrendered. They also took all alcohol/beverages and food, as well as clothing, shoes and sunglasses. The pirates took the yacht’s liferaft, but had no interest in the dinghy or outboard, laptop, the yacht’s electronics, the captain’s credit cards or his cell phone. The pirates did take the phone charger. They were fairly well organized and under the control of “the boss” who communicated with his men and the captain by VHF.
Eventually the pirates were satisfied they had taken all they wanted, and the captain asked the pirate boss for some small food and diesel so he could depart and continue his voyage. It was provided with a proviso to go and never look back. The yacht proceeded and made safe harbor in Chaguaramas, Trinidad. Assistance was provided by a cruiser who noticed the distressed state of the captain.
The captain was visited by the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard who took a full report, he also talked with his consular officials. He was tested and put into 14 day (onboard) Covid quarantine, with limited but necessary support provided by a shore-side marina and boatyard.
CSSN would like to thank everyone who has supported this cruiser during a difficult time made even more so because of Covid restrictions and regulations.
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DATE: 2017-12-28 10:00 Country Name: Venezuela- Mainland And Nearshore Islands Location Detail: Cabo Tres Puntas EVENT: Attempted piracy HAND: 1 Stolen Items: none SECURED: N/A DETAILS: A monohull with 2 persons onboard departed Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela for Grenada. At 10 AM, 2 miles off the Paria peninsula, and approximately 10 miles east of Cabo Tres Puntas an open fishing boat with 6 men approached, displaying and firing multiple long guns into the air. The crew immediately altered course and turned offshore. When the pirates came closer the crew fired their flare gun directly at the pirates, and nearly hit them. The pirates, apparently understanding the fire hazard a burning flare would pose to their gasoline fuelled boat turned away, dropped back and made no further approaches. The yacht then headed northwest and made safe port at Porlamar, Margarita, where a report was made to local officials.
CSSN News – July 27, 2017 The U.S. Department of State updates warning to U.S. citizens against travel to Venezuela due to social unrest, violent crime, and pervasive food and medicine shortages
