Assault - The Caribbean Safety and Security Net

3814 – Assault in Panama – Bocas del Toro – Red Frog

Incident Date: 2026-04-08 at 16:45

Event Type: Assault

Stolen Items: None

Secured: Does not apply

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: The crew of a yacht anchored off Red Frog Marina, approached at speed and attempted to land their dinghy at one of the private marina docks. They were met by a marina employee who was agitated, and directed them to another nearby public dinghy dock, and informed them about the no wake zone.

Again at speed, the crew moved to the directed dock. The same employee followed the dinghy/crew to the public dock, and became verbally abusive, shoved the captain, as more angry words were exchanged. The captain and crew departed in their dinghy, again at speed, and returned to their catamaran.

Shortly thereafter, the same marina employee arrived at their stern and the confrontation continued. The marina employee was pushed back into his boat when he attempted to board the yacht. He then held a homemade gaff in his hand as he continued to gesture, and according to the captain and crew, to make additional threats. Eventually, the marina employee departed. The yacht’s video system recorded the event.

A report was made to the marina manager and the police. The new marina owner has advised that the employee has been suspended without pay, and that all employees will receive customer service training.

CSSN NOTE: this report has been updated with additional details

April 13, 2026

3783 – Assault in Saint Martin (France) – Sandy Ground Bridge

Incident Date: 2026-02-03 at 13:54

Event Type: Assault

Stolen Items: None

Secured: Does not apply

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: A cruising family was exiting the lagoon via dinghy when adolescent male youths on the bridge began dropping rocks onto them, striking one adult on the top of his head. An ambulance was called, provided some emergency care, and then transported the injured man to the hospital where he was treated and released. A police report was made.

February 4, 2026

3759 – Assault in Trinidad and Tobago – Tobago – Mt. Irvine Bay

Incident Date: 2025-06-12 at 00:30

Event Type: Assault

Stolen Items: Dinghy, Outboard Motor, Laptop Computer, Mobile Phone, Cash

Secured: Does not apply

Source Type: 2nd Hand Report

Incident Details: At 0030HRS an unlocked yacht anchored in Mt. Irvine Bay, Tobago was boarded while the owners slept onboard. Two masked men, armed with a metal bar attacked one of the crew, inflicting injuries before stealing cash, credit cards, phones, laptops and other personal electronics, as well as the yacht’s dinghy/outboard. A police report was made.

December 22, 2025

3660 – Assault in United States Virgin Islands (US) – St. Thomas – Brewers Bay

Incident Date: 2025-05-17 at 22:30

Event Type: Assault

Stolen Items: nothing

Secured: Does not apply

Source Type: 2nd Hand Report

Incident Details: At approximately 2230HRS a cruiser was leaving his car in Brewers Bay beach in St Thomas, USVI and was attacked from behind by a young man with a machete. He received multiple severe wounds to the head/neck but the assailant finally ran off when headlights seemed to be approaching. The victim made it to his dinghy and back to the yacht were he received treatment from his spouse. The police and ambulance were called and the victim was transported to the hospital for further treatment. He was later released. A full report was made to the police.

May 25, 2025

3657 – Assault in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Bequia – Admiralty Bay (Port Elizabeth)

Incident Date: 2025-05-10 at 19:15

Event Type: Assault

Stolen Items: None

Secured: Does not apply

Source Type: 2nd Hand Report

Incident Details: Cruisers returned to the main dinghy dock with friends at 1915HRS and as the second dinghy was departing some young men began hurling objects/rocks at them from the dinghy dock and stuck one of the cruisers in the head. Injuries were described as minor and both crews returned to their yachts. ||It is not known if a police report was made.

May 13, 2025

3394 – Assault in Venezuela – Offshore03

Incident Date: 2024-10-10 at 03:30

Event Type: Assault

Stolen Items: None

Secured: Does not apply

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident 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.

October 10, 2024

3190 – Assault in Saint Martin (France) – Sandy Ground Bridge

Incident Date: 2023-12-28 at 05:00

Event Type: Assault

Stolen Items: unknown

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 2nd Hand Report

Incident Details: After stealing a flaregun/flares from another yacht, (see 3189) five hooded men broke through the companionway of an occupied monohull and fired flares/smoke bombs into the cabin. A crew member used wasp spray to repel the attackers. The police were called and the Coast Guard summoned on VHF16. The police arrived about 45 minutes later and took a preliminary report. The captain received a head injury and was later treated/released from the hospital.

December 28, 2023

3176 – Assault in Colombia – Santa Marta – Taganga Bay

Incident Date: 2023-12-22 at 22:30

Event Type: Assault

Stolen Items: Everything – electronics ( InReach, laptop, phones ), cash, tools +++

Secured: Does not apply

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: A yacht anchored alone in the bay was boarded by four masked men each armed with a handgun at 2230HRS. The captain was pistol whipped and crew held at gunpoint while the boat was ransacked. The attackers demanded the drugs they thought were onboard. They stole electronics (inReach, laptop, phones), cash and jewelry, plus other assorted items. ||The thieves were unable to steal the well secured dinghy as the keys were lost in the mess they created. Some of the thieves paddled their unpowered boat ashore to unload the stolen items and returned for more and their companions. The entire event lasted about an hour. The captain self-treated his head wounds. ||A report to consular officials was planned, and the boat left the bay.

December 22, 2023

3175 – Assault in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Mayreau – Saline Bay

Incident Date: 2023-12-22 at 18:30

Event Type: Assault

Stolen Items: nothing

Secured: N/A

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: A cruiser returned to his beached dinghy in Saline Bay at approximately 18:30HRS. He was attacked by a man with a machete, and thrown down on the sand and held there with a knee to his back.||The attacker demanded his money and "gold". The cruiser told him there was 5 ECD in the wallet in the dinghy and was asked if there was money on the boat. The cruiser told him only the 5 ECD as there was no ATM on Mayreau. He wore no watch or jewelry. ||The attacker threatened to cut off his head and told him to remain down, which he did as the assailant moved away into the trees. After a short time he called out that he could go. The cruiser was not injured and rowed to a friends boat nearby. The 5 ECD was left behind. ||The next day a police report was made.

December 22, 2023

3110 – Assault in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – St. Vincent – Buccament Bay

Incident Date: 2023-10-10 at 00:15

Event Type: Assault

Stolen Items: Cash, ring, binoculars, fishing/diving gear, large flashlight

Secured: Does not apply

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: CSSN NOTE: This report replaces a previous PRELIMINARY 2nd hand report (3105)||A yacht with two persons on board anchored alone in Buccament Bay, St. Vincent around 1000HRS. At 0015HRS they were boarded by two men, armed with a gun and a knife who broke through the companionway door. The crew was held at gunpoint (head) and knifepoint (back). The armed men ransacked (and damaged) the yacht before roughly taking a ring from the woman's finger, which later required medical treatment. Also cash, binoculars, fishing/diving gear, and a large flashlight were stolen.||After about an hour onboard the men left rowing a wooden boat. A report was made to the police and Coast Guard.

October 10, 2023

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