3827 – Assault in Panama – Portobello
Incident Date: 2026-04-21 at 21:30
Event Type: Assault
Stolen Items: Laptop Computer, Mobile Phone (3), Camera (GoPro), Cash (USD), Binoculars
Secured: Not Locked
Source Type: 1st Hand Report
Incident Details: At 1745HRS, the owner and crew of a monohull diverted from their original plan, and anchored off Portobello, Panama. They anchored among 6-7 other yachts, and visited a neighboring yacht.
At 2130HRS they were boarded by 7-8 armed men, who rapidly entered the yacht through multiple hatches and the companionway. Most of the intruders wore hoods, masks or balaclavas. There were approximately 6 visible weapons – handguns with extended cartridges, semi-auto type machine weapons, and a semi-auto rifle. After initially being pistol whipped, the crew was compliant and remained seated on the salon settee, held at gunpoint, as the yacht was rapidly and fairly thoroughly ransacked/searched. The intruders spoke only Spanish and seemed to ask about cocaine as they tore up floorboards and searched the entire yacht. They took some valuables but left others behind. Taken were a laptop, 3 phones, a camera, power bricks, binoculars, and cash. The radio was not disabled. The event lasted about 20 minutes and the men all departed.
The crew made a pan-pan/mayday call on VHF 16, but got no response. They examined and treated their injuries and then contacted neighbor yachts and described what had happened. Three yachts, including the victims, departed soon after. The next day reports were made to the Coast Guard and Federal Police in Colon. Police have begun the forensics process.
CSSN UPDATE: The victims have confirmed that the police visited the yacht for additional forensics and that one of the phones has been recovered. The investigation continues.