The Caribbean Safety and Security Network (CSSN) annual report for 2024 provides details and analysis of reported crimes against yachts in the Caribbean and notes that reported incidents of crimes against yachts reached an all time high during the year, driven by non-violent offenses.

Published 7 hours ago

Source:  Caribbean Safety and Security Net

Non-Violent Incidents Rise, Violent Incidents Decrease

In 2024, reported incidents of crimes against yachts reached an all-time high of 145 – up 41 % from 103 in 2023. The surge was driven almost entirely by non-violent offenses, which rose 57 % (137 vs. 87). Violent incidents, by contrast, fell 50 % to 8, their first decline in recent years.

A steady climb through most of the year, capped by a record spike in December, produced the new annual total. The CSSN Annual Report 2024 analyses those trends and highlights an encouraging turn away from the violence of prior years, while pinpointing both familiar and emerging hotspots.

Geographic Distribution

The Leeward Islands were notably active in 2024. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) emerged as the single most active country, with 20 reported incidents—half of them at the small but popular island of Jost Van Dyke. Historically, the BVI have seen few or no incidents, but a mix of charter boats and complacent cruising yachts presented many easy targets for well-prepared thieves. Tracking devices, when present, were frequently found and then routinely disabled.

Saint Martin/Sint Maarten was also very active, with 12 and 13 reports, respectively—representing year-over-year increases of 110 % and 300 % compared to 2023. Most of the activity occurred in the shared Simpson Bay Lagoon, which accounted for 20 total reports.

In Central America, activity rose modestly compared to 2023. Panama recorded 11 incidents. Honduras had 9 reports, divided between offshore piracy-related suspicious activity and thefts in Roatan. Guatemala’s Río Dulce contributed 6 reports to regional totals.

The Windward Islands together accounted for 50 reported incidents, roughly 30 % of all regional activity. Grenada led the group with 17 reports—a 150 % year-over-year increase—distributed across many anchorages, and included a violent report that claimed the lives of two cruisers. Martinique had 13 incidents, a 110 % increase, concentrated in its most popular anchorages. St. Lucia followed with 11 reports, mainly from Rodney Bay, representing a 140 % increase. In contrast, St. Vincent and the Grenadines reported 7 incidents, a 36 % decrease, likely reflecting reduced yacht traffic following Hurricane Beryl’s impact on several key islands and ongoing recovery challenges in this multi-island country.

2024 Peaks and Analysis

In 2024, reported incidents climbed to 145, the highest point in the five-year trend and a sharp recovery from the pandemic-era low of 72 in 2020, when global travel restrictions severely curtailed cruising activity and limited the movements of not only cruisers, but also those with criminal intent. The rebound followed a clear trajectory: 102 incidents in 2021, 123 in 2022, a brief dip to 103 in 2023, and then a surge to an all-time high of 145 in 2024. This 41% year-over-year increase places 2024 well above the five-year average of 109 incidents.

While country-level data reveals broad patterns, specific anchorages tell a more granular story. Simpson Bay Lagoon, shared by French St. Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten, emerged as 2024’s single highest-risk anchorage with 20 reported incidents—nearly 14% of the regional total. Thieves exploited cross-jurisdictional enforcement challenges, and coordination of resources proved difficult.

Summary and Best Practice

Dinghy and outboard theft continue to account for the majority of all successful thefts, occurring most often when dinghies are poorly secured or not secured at all. The consistent use of robust physical security measures—heavy-duty cable locks, heavy-gauge stainless chain, and importantly, lifting and locking dinghies overnight—demonstrably reduces risk. Securing companionways/doorways and hatches overnight provides additional protection.

Unoccupied yachts at anchor for extended periods present attractive targets for burglars. Loud intrusion alarms, surveillance systems, and regular patrols, combined with vigilant neighbors, remain the most effective deterrents.

Report an Incident

CSSN remains an all-volunteer, independent, self-funded team. Safety and security are a shared responsibility. We commit considerable amounts of our time, and it takes only a small amount of yours to keep everyone well and fully informed. If you are a victim, it’s easy and important to make a timely CSSN incident report.

CSSN continues to deliver indispensable risk-planning information to our community.  First-hand, volunteer-vetted reports form the backbone of our centralized, publicly accessible database, providing cruisers with timely, accurate information about how and where they cruise.  Enhancements rolled out this year, including new analytical tools, are available on the CSSN website.  The charts and graphs are now interactive and can be toggled to customize. The country links will also take you to an interactive map where you can explore reported incidents in more detail.

We always welcome your feedback and suggestions, simply click the Contact Us link on any page of the CSSN website.

Kim White and the all-volunteer CSSN team

Related Links:

• CSSN 2024 Annual Report
• CSSN incident report.

………………………………….

Related News

• CSSN Annual Report 2023 Highlights Significant Change in Reported Crimes Against Yachts (December 2024)
• CSSN Annual Report 2022 Highlights Rise in Violent Crimes Against Yachts (Noonsite December 2023)
• CSSN Annual Report 2021 Highlights Rise in Crime Against Yachts (Noonsite November 2022)
• CSSN Annual Report 2020 Shows Decrease in Crimes Against Yachts (Noonsite November 2021)

………………………………….

The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club.

Find out all news, reports, links and comments posted on Noonsite, plus cruising information from around the world, by subscribing to our FREE monthly newsletter. Go to https://www.noonsite.com/newsletter/.

If you have found this information useful, become a paid member to enjoy unlimited use of Noonsite plus many other perks. Your membership fees really help our small, dedicated team keep country information up-to-date in support of cruisers worldwide. Find out more about Noonsite Membership levels and benefits here.