3439 – Piracy in Venezuela – Offshore04
Incident Date: 2024-12-07 at 05:00
Event Type: Piracy
Stolen Items: None
Secured: Does not apply
Source Type: 1st Hand Report
Incident Details: A catamaran with 2 persons onboard was under sail on passage from Los Roques, Venezuela to Grenada. At position 11-27.976N 063-23.585W approximately 20 nmiles WNW of Los Testigos at 0500HRS the yacht was approached by a panga with 3-4 men, and boarded by 2 armed pirates. ||One crew was on watch but inside when the sound of the approaching panga was heard. Returning to the cockpit she found it was only 10 meters away. She immediately went below to awaken the other crew member who was sleeping and then she returned to the cockpit. The second crew member came on deck through a hatch in the forward sleeping quarters as the 2 masked/hooded men began to board the boat. The crew member who was forward was able to intercept the first pirate and force the gun from his hand, disarming him before pushing him off the boat. The gun went into the water. It is unclear if the pirate fell into the water or the panga. He then went aft to aid the other crew member who was engaged with the second pirate who was attacking her with a short club of some sort. Unseen from behind, the other crew member was able to punch the second pirate in the head and neck sending him overboard between the 2 boats. ||The crew added engines for maximum speed as they got underway and altered course, going dark by dousing all lights and AIS. Satellite calls were made to friends and then to the Grenada Coast Guard. They do not think the pirates pursued, and they made safe landfall the following day in Grenada. They treated their injuries and did not require medical assistance. A report was made to the Grenada Coast Guard and reports to their consulates are also planned.