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2225 – Burglary in Saint Lucia – Marigot – Inner Bay

Incident Date: 2017-10-29 at 17:00

Event Type: Burglary

Stolen Items: cash. watch, wedding ring

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: A charter catamaran on a mooring 50 yards west of Chateau MyGo dock was boarded for a second time (see prior report) that day. It had been well locked up after a prior incident before going ashore for dinner. The port bow hatch had been jimmied. Additional cash, a watch and a man's wedding ring were stolen. A police report had already been made, and these items were added to the original report/list. The police recovered $300 and the wedding ring 2 days later, which were returned to the owners 6 months later when a family member returned to St. Lucia. No charges were filed. At the conclusion of the charter a report was made to the Martinique charter company, which was described as "sympathetic yet not helpful."

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October 29, 2017

2176 – Piracy in Honduras – Offshore

Incident Date: 2017-10-28 at 12:00

Event Type: Piracy

Stolen Items: cash,phone,GPS,computer,dive gear,fishing gear,food,medicine,rum and many small items

Secured: Not Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: A single hander departed Livingston, Guatemala for Isla de Providencia, Colombia. At noon, when about 35 miles offshore of the Honduras/Nicaragua border he was boarded while motoring by 20 men in 3 pirogues.||The pirates did NOT display any weapons, but simply overran the yacht. The captain did not resist in any way. The pirates ransacked the yacht for about an hour. They “”””took everything””””, cash, phone, GPS, computer, dive gear, fishing gear, food, medicine, rum and many small items. The captain was able to negotiate with the leaders and was allowed to keep a navigational computer and a small GPS, as well as some jerry jugs of diesel. The pirates asked for drugs (there were none) before finally departing.||There were no injuries. The captain describes that damage to the yacht was out of ignorance, not malice. A report was made to Colombian officials in Providencia on arrival.

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October 28, 2017

2171 – Assault in Saint Lucia – Soufriere

Incident Date: 2017-10-25 at 01:30

Event Type: Assault

Stolen Items: Cash and mobile phones, dinghy

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: Guests onboard a chartered catamaran on an SMMA mooring in Soufriere, St. Lucia, were awakened at 0130 am when they were boarded by 4 men. 2 of the men were armed with guns, and 1 with a knife, all had their faces concealed. ||Three of the men damaged a deck hatch to break into the locked yacht while the fourth cut the davit lines on the dinghy during this violent boarding. There were 6 members in the charter group, 2 families each with a teenage daughter. The women and children quickly locked themselves inside a cabin. There were many threats and a short struggle. One victim was hit in the face with a gun, the other hit on the head. The boarders demanded cash, cellphones and passports. The cash and cellphones were surrendered readily and the passports and access to the locked cabin refused. After 20 terrifying minutes of further threats of violence and death the 4 men left with the dinghy. ||Reports were made to the charter base and police. The police took NO forensic evidence and told the victims and the charter company that they did "not want any media involved as it might scare tourists". The charter company has assisted the victims with communications and arranged for a local media outlet to film an interview, which has not been broadcast. The dinghy was abandoned ashore and later recovered. ||The police have since asked for some details about the stolen cellphones by email, but have not informed the victims of any arrests in this matter. The victims describe this as a "violent, aggressive and prolonged attack that left their families traumatized" and point out that at no point during the charter briefing were they informed of any "no go" or problem areas. They were advised to use the cable and lock provided to secure the dinghy when ashore. ||CSSN NOTE: As a matter of policy CSSN will publish updates if police confirm to the victims that there has been significant progress in this matter.

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October 25, 2017

2170 – Theft in Grenada – Grenada – Clarke’s Court Bay Marina/Boatyard

Incident Date: 2017-10-17 at 23:00

Event Type: Theft

Stolen Items: 185ft 1/2inch Anchor Chain

Secured: Not Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: Overnight 185 ft. of 1/2 inch anchor chain was stolen. It had been stored in a metal barrel with a closed lid under a yacht located next to the restaurant at Clarkes Court Bay Boatyard. The owners discovered the theft the next day, the barrel had not been moved and the lid had been put back in place. Boatyard security/management was informed immediately, and admitted this was not the first theft of a significant amount of chain from the yard. The boatyard was well searched but no chain was found and owners "put out the word" that all they wanted was the chain back. The next day during a driving rain the owners were told by a boatyard subcontractor that a pile of chain was at the end of the yard, in an area that had been thoroughly searched the prior evening. It was their chain, lying on the same blue bag that had previously contained it, inside the now empty barrel. No police report was filed.||CSSN NOTE: While this may seem a satisfactory ending for these owners, others who visit this yard, or any other yard or marina, should ask about any incidents and make certain management has put effective processes in place to prevent theft from the premises. Asking these questions BEFORE you patronize a facility will allow you to make informed decisions, and serves as a reminder of the importance of good security to those responsible for providing it. Those who have put robust processes in place, and then monitor their effectiveness, will be proud to tell you about them. Then make your own inspection. Examples of effective controls include well secured perimeters, gate control with logged access landside, 24HR monitoring of waterside access, robust video surveillance, inspection of exiting vehicles/backpacks, a posted policy of "zero tolerance" and prosecution of offenders.

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October 17, 2017

2172 – Theft in Panama – Bocas del Toro – North anchorage

Incident Date: 2017-10-05 at 03:30

Event Type: Theft

Stolen Items: boat with 40 HP outboard

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: An in the water but locked to the dock boat in Isla Carenero was stolen overnight. The thieves were well prepared with cutting tools. The dinghy was recovered by police the next day at the nearby marina, minus the outboard. Police made an arrest and recovered the outboard as well.||CSSN UPDATE – November 15, 2017 : The victim has reported that police made arrests. Those involved have been released on bail while the investigation continues.

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October 5, 2017

2173 – Theft in Panama – Bocas del Toro – Bastimentos

Incident Date: 2017-10-05 at 03:35

Event Type: Theft

Stolen Items: 75HP outboard

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: 75 HP outboard was stolen overnight. the boat and engine were on a dock lift and both well locked. The power was off to the lift but thieves used an angle grinder to cut the locking cables and tools to remove the bolted on engine. Police are investigating and have made an arrest and recovered another boat/motor stolen from the same dock that night.(see previous report)|||CSSN UPDATE – November 15, 2017 : The victim has reported that police recovered the 75 HP outboard and made arrests. Those involved have been released on bail while the investigation continues.

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October 5, 2017

2169 – Theft in Curacao (the Netherlands) – Spanish Water – anchorage

Incident Date: 2017-09-16 at 01:00

Event Type: Theft

Stolen Items: dinghy and outboard

Secured: Not Locked

Source Type: 3rd Hand Report

Incident Details: An in-the-water dinghy with outboard was stolen overnight from an anchored yacht, no further details available. CSSN NOTE: We all depend on each other to make reports, if you were a victim, or have direct knowledge about this event please contact CSSN at safetyandsecuritynet@gmail.com (LINK)

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September 16, 2017