Attempted Theft - The Caribbean Safety and Security Net

3797 – Attempted Theft in Bonaire – Kralendijk moorings

Incident Date: 2026-03-19 at 02:00

Event Type: Attempted Theft

Stolen Items: None

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: This is the third report/second night of reported boardings in the Bonaire mooring field (see 3795/3796).

The owner of a neighboring yacht noticed swimmers hanging on their neighbor’s stern at 0200HRS. He began yelling and shined a bright light on the swimmers, who refused to leave. The police were called and the dinghy lowered, the men began making threats and swam toward the nearby shore. The police arrived promptly and intercepted the swimmers but did not detain them. A full police report will be made by all 3 victims, and shared with the Port Captain and the marina.

CSSN UPDATE: The 3 victim boats attempted to make a police report but were rebuffed by officials, who seemed unaware of the boardings/events of the previous night. When asked for specific advice, the Chief of Police suggested calling 911, who should summon the correct response units, asking the boarders to leave (3x) and making a video of the activity. In the ABC’s calling 913 will connect with the Dutch Coast Guard.

March 20, 2026

3795 – Attempted Theft in Bonaire – Kralendijk moorings

Incident Date: 2026-03-19 at 03:30

Event Type: Attempted Theft

Stolen Items: None

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: Catamaran owners awoke to find their swim ladder had been pulled down and they had been boarded overnight. They learned that another boat on a nearby mooring was also boarded (see 3796). The yacht was locked and nothing had been taken.

CSSN UPDATE: A third yacht experienced similar events the next night. (see 3797) A full police report will be made by all 3 victims, and shared with the Port Captain and the marina.

March 19, 2026

3796 – Attempted Theft in Bonaire – Kralendijk moorings

Incident Date: 2026-03-19 at 03:30

Event Type: Attempted Theft

Stolen Items: None

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: Owners of a catamaran on a town mooring were awoken by noise and found 2 men had boarded their locked yacht. When discovered, both men jumped into the water and swam toward shore. A second yacht was also boarded, see 3795.

CSSN UPDATE: A third yacht experienced similar events the next night. (see 3797) A full police report will be made by all 3 victims, and shared with the Port Captain and the marina.

March 19, 2026

3737 – Attempted Theft in Trinidad and Tobago – Trinidad – Chaguaramas – Crews Inn

Incident Date: 2025-10-15 at 03:30

Event Type: Attempted Theft

Stolen Items: None

Secured: Not Locked

Source Type: 2nd Hand Report

Incident Details: At 0330HRS the crew of a catamaran berthed at Crews Inn heard footsteps on deck. The captain went topsides and interrupted 4-5 men in balaclavas rummaging in backpacks and luggage that had been left in the cockpit area earlier that day. He began yelling and they quickly jumped onto the dock and ran toward shore.

Later that day the crew checked the luggage and it did not seem anything had been stolen. Marina Security was contacted and they took a report, it is not known if a police report was made.

October 20, 2025

3706 – Attempted Theft in Panama – Linton Bay

Incident Date: 2025-09-03 at 09:00

Event Type: Attempted Theft

Stolen Items: not successful

Secured: Not Locked

Source Type: 2nd Hand Report

Incident Details: At about 0900HRS a panga with young men was noticed at an (unoccupied) boat as they were loading items from the yacht’s deck into the panga. A cruiser aboard a neighboring yacht began yelling. They returned the items to the yacht and departed. It is not known if a police report was made.

September 7, 2025

3703 – Attempted Theft in Panama – Gatun lake

Incident Date: 2025-08-30 at 03:00

Event Type: Attempted Theft

Stolen Items: outboard, but not successful

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: A yacht transiting the Panama Canal anchored in Gatun Lake near Isla Bamboo . A launcha approached and attempted to steal the dinghy’s outboard engine. A line handler who was sleeping in the cockpit was awakened and the launcha sped away. The police were called and sent a boat to take a report.

August 30, 2025

3688 – Attempted Theft in Panama – Linton Bay

Incident Date: 2025-07-24 at 00:30

Event Type: Attempted Theft

Stolen Items: unsuccessful attempt to steal dinghy / outboard

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 2nd Hand Report

Incident Details: While the owner slept onboard, an attempt was made to steal their in-the-water and chain locked dinghy. The painter was cut, but the chain prevented the theft. The owner discovered the cut painter the next morning.

A second yacht in the anchorage was not as well prepared. See 3687 for details.

July 25, 2025

3656 – Attempted Theft in Costa Rica – Puerto Jimenez

Incident Date: 2025-05-09 at 03:45

Event Type: Attempted Theft

Stolen Items: None, attempted to steal the 15HP outboard mounted on stern rail

Secured: Not Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: Owners arrived Puerto Jimenez and anchored. They awoke at 0345HRS when they heard a thumping noise. Using bright lights they found 2 pangas, alongside and closely astern. Both pangas fled immediately. They secured the engine.

May 10, 2025

3655 – Attempted Theft in Panama – Bocas del Toro – South anchorage

Incident Date: 2025-05-05 at 00:30

Event Type: Attempted Theft

Stolen Items: None

Secured: Does not apply

Source Type: 2nd Hand Report

Incident Details: Owners of a yacht anchored near Boya de Vida awoke to noise at 0030HRS and were able to disrupt a boarding. A man rowed/paddled away when discovered. It is not known if a police report was made.

May 9, 2025

3636 – Attempted Theft in Guadeloupe (France) – Guadeloupe – Gosier

Incident Date: 2025-04-03 at 22:20

Event Type: Attempted Theft

Stolen Items: nothing, not successful

Secured: Locked

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: A charter catamaran anchored among about 20 other boats in Gosier, Guadeloupe. At 1730HRS they noticed a man floating thru the anchorage with a boogie/swim board. He approached when the crew were inside and they found him clinging to their swim ladder. They asked/offered assistance in English and French, and when he replied in French accented English he claimed he was the police. The captain advised the man he would be starting the engine and that he should move away immediately. He did not. When the engine was started and the boat swung, the man departed and went on to board what appeared to be a derelict monohull. An hour or so later the crew raised and secured the swim ladder, then locked up the well lit yacht and went ashore for dinner. ||On their return at 2220HRS they carefully looked all around the yacht and between the pontoons and saw no one. As soon as they tied up the dinghy the man popped up with his swim board and stood beside the locked salon door. The crew began yelling and using a loud horn to scare the man away, alerting other nearby yachts. They went to the nearest yacht who indicated they would attempt to reach authorities and were given a can of wasp spray. When they returned to their catamaran the man had not left . They gave a final warning and insisted he leave immediately and when he did not, the wasp spray was deployed in the mans face. He went onto a knee and rolled into the water with his swim board. ||The man had not gained entry to the well locked yacht and nothing had been left in the cockpit area. ||The captain contacted his charter base at about 2400HRS and was advised to move to another location, which he did.

April 9, 2025

Tag: Attempted Theft Archives