Tag: Suspicious Activity Archives

Incident Date: 2025-08-04 at 13:00

Event Type: Suspicious Activity

Stolen Items: None

Secured: Does not apply

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: A yacht transiting from Guanaja, Bay Islands, Honduras to Grand Cayman altered course due to easterly winds and a developing tropical weather system, redirecting to Isla de Providencia, Colombia. The revised route traversed the Thunder Knoll area.

At position 16°00’34.4″N 81°02’31.3″W, approximately 145 nm NE of the Honduras/Nicaragua border, at 1300HRS, the southbound yacht encountered three traditional lobster fishing boats. The yacht passed the first vessel without incident. As it approached the second boat, the lobster boat altered course, turning eastward on an intercept course. The third boat, (also west of the yacht), was moving southward in parallel.

Concerned about these maneuvers, the yacht executed a 180-degree turn northward and increased separation to approximately one nautical mile. The second vessel subsequently repositioned itself southeast of the yacht’s location.

Faced with deteriorating sea conditions (2+ meter waves) from the east, the yacht turned southward planning to pass between the first and second lobster boats, which were separated by over one nautical mile. As the yacht came closer to the second vessel, it again altered course toward the yacht. Simultaneously, the third boat turned and maneuvered northward, attempting to block passage between the first and second boats.

The yacht immediately turned hard to port (SE) and proceeded at maximum speed on a beam reach in 18-20 knot winds. While the first vessel did not pursue, vessels two and three followed for approximately 3-4 hours before discontinuing pursuit.

The yacht had been scanning VHF continuously and no transmissions between the 3 boats were heard, and none of the lobster boats attempted contact with the yacht. There were no injuries and the catamaran continued its passage without further incident. A report was made to the Colombian Coast Guard on arrival in Isla de Providencia.

Incident Date: 2024-12-02 at 08:00

Event Type: Suspicious Activity

Stolen Items: None

Secured: Does not apply

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: See 3442, #3||The third encounter was the next morning, 0800HRS December 2, at position 16-56.09N 80-49.64W, approximately 220 nmiles off the Honduran coast. A single fishing vessel again initiated an intercept course. Tacking again, the yacht increased speed and the gap and after about an hour the fishing vessel turned back. The yacht eventually turned southward leaving Serranilla bank to starboard and continued to the San Blas.

Incident Date: 2024-12-01 at 12:00

Event Type: Suspicious Activity

Stolen Items: None

Secured: Does not apply

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: See 3442, location #2|The second encounter was at 1200HRS later that day at position 16-27.1N 82-26.6W, approximately 110nmiles off the Honduran coast. The 55ft. fishing vessel had altered course to intercept. The yacht|again altered course to NNW , again motorsailing at full speed. Another fishing vessel appeared astern, and a third was spotted to port at a distance of about 3 miles. After about an hour all 3 fishing vessels turned back. The crew decided not to cross the Thunder Knoll channel and tacked north several times before turning east.

Incident Date: 2024-12-01 at 05:00

Event Type: Suspicious Activity

Stolen Items: None

Secured: Does not apply

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: A yacht was making a planned passage under sail from Livingston, Guatemala to The San Blas Islands, Panama. Three times during the passage the crew encountered fishing vessels that behaved in a suspicious manner. No radio communications were heard/made at any time.||The first encounter was at 0500HRS December 1, at position 16-29.51N 82-55.47W, approximately 100 nmiles off the Honduran coast. The yacht noticed the fishing vessel had turned and began tracking them at a distance of approximately 2 miles. The yacht tacked quickly, added engines/speed and headed NNW. After about 30 minutes the gap widened and the fishing vessel abandoned the pursuit. ||The second encounter was at 1200HRS later that day at position 16-27.1N 82-26.6W, approximately 110nmiles off the Honduran coast. The 55ft. fishing vessel had altered course to intercept. The yacht | again altered course to NNW , again motorsailing at full speed. Another fishing vessel appeared astern, and a third was spotted to port at a distance of about 3 miles. After about an hour all 3 fishing vessels turned back. The crew decided not to cross the Thunder Knoll channel and tacked north several times before turning east. ||The third encounter was the next morning, 0800HRS December 2, at position 16-56.09N 80-49.64W, approximately 220 nmiles off the Honduran coast. A single fishing vessel again initiated an intercept course. Tacking again, the yacht increased speed and the gap and after about an hour the fishing vessel turned back. The yacht eventually turned southward leaving Serranilla bank to starboard and continued to the San Blas.

Incident Date: 2024-04-20 at 18:30

Event Type: Suspicious Activity

Stolen Items: N/A

Secured: N/A

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: A motor yacht moving at 8.2kn was transiting from the San Blas islands, Panama, to the US via the Yucatan channel. At 1830HRS at position 16-21.197N 081-26.630W, approximately 130nm from the NE coast of Honduras in the Thunder Knoll area, they observed a 50-65' white fishing vessel with beige superstructure at a distance of 1.8nm. The yacht altered course and added speed (8.8kn). Radar indicated that the fishing vessel had significantly increased its speed (8.5kn) and altered its direction to an intercept course. There were no radio communications. As a precaution the yacht went dark (lights and AIS transmit off). Several course changes by the yacht were mirrored by the fishing vessel that continued to track at speed on an intercept course. ||The yachts crew prepared in accordance with their previously agreed boarding plan. They readied multiple flares, a spear gun and had already preprogrammed USCG phone numbers in their devices/Starlink. They began to close and secure all access points. PLB's and EPIRBS were hidden but remained easily accessible to the crew. || After about a half hour of pursuit/evasion the yacht had increased the distance to 2.3nm and the fishing vessel turned around, reduced speed and slowly headed SSW back to the area where it had first been sighted. ||The crew notified another vessel traveling behind them about the situation and they chose to alter course 30nm further east. After some distance had been achieved the yacht restored its lights/AIS transmit and continued its passage. They will make a report to officials on arrival.

Incident Date: 2022-11-16 at 22:45

Event Type: Suspicious Activity

Stolen Items: None

Secured: Does not apply

Source Type: 1st Hand Report

Incident Details: A 47' catamaran with two (2) persons on board departed Shelter Bay marina, Panama for Punta Gorda, Belize. Moving at about 8 knots, at 2245HRS they detected a boat two (2) nm in their forward path on radar. Their position was 16° 08.560 N, 082° 05.140 W, approx. 95 nautical miles off the coast of Honduras.||The captain determined there were 2 fishing boats, one heading directly (bow to bow) at the catamaran. Course was altered, and the enclosed fishing boat (est. 12m) also altered course and continued its direct approach. Course was again altered and 2nd engine added and the yacht went dark. A second similar fishing boat was noted, also heading for the yacht. The first fishing boat had closed to within 60 feet on the port beam. With the addition of the second engine and a favorable wind angle the catamaran was moving at 12 knots, and the fishing boats were unable to keep pace but followed on the altered course for an additional 30 minutes. There were no radio communications. ||The catamaran continued without further incident to Belize, and made an informal report to authorities on arrival.