Caribbean, CSSN 2025 Annual Report: Decline in Violent Crime Against Yachts

Source: Caribbean Safety and Security Net

Violent Crimes against Yachts Declined in 2025

CSSN’s 2025 Annual Report on yacht crimes in the Caribbean provides vital insights and safety information for sailors and yacht owners. In 2025, reported incidents of crimes against yachts in the Caribbean totaled 124, a 14% decrease from the record high of 145 in 2024.

Violent crimes continued their encouraging decline, falling to 7 incidents from 8 in 2024. Geographic concentration was a defining characteristic of 2025, with Panama emerging as the most active country in the region, recording 33 incidents, a 200% increase from 11 in 2024.

Geographic characteristics

Geographic concentration was a defining characteristic of 2025. On a positive note, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) saw a dramatic decline from 20 incidents to 4. Offsetting this improvement, Panama emerged as the most active country in the region, with all-time region-wide record high activity of 33 reports, a 200% increase from 11 in 2024.

Activity in Panama was concentrated in the Bocas del Toro archipelago and the Linton Bay area. Activity in French Saint Martin increased modestly (from 13 to 15 incidents), remaining elevated; however, the nature of the activity shifted. St. Vincent and the Grenadines trended upward (from 7 to 12 incidents) as cruising patterns normalized during the continued recovery from Hurricane Beryl.

2025 Yacht Crime Incident Type Analysis

Theft dominated the 2025 yacht crime landscape, accounting for 90 of 124 incidents (72.5%). Combined with attempted theft (11 incidents), property theft represented 81.5% of all crimes. Consistent with historical patterns, Caribbean yacht crime remains overwhelmingly opportunistic rather than confrontational, with dinghies/outboards the most common target of thieves.

Burglary held steady at 12 incidents (9.8%), nearly unchanged from 2024’s 11. However, the nature of burglaries shifted dramatically: 6 of 12 burglaries occurred in Saint Martin’s lagoon, concentrated at Witch’s Tit anchorage during hurricane season and targeting unoccupied yachts left on moorings.

Violent crimes declined modestly, totaling 7 incidents (5.7%). These were geographically dispersed across the Eastern Caribbean and offshore Honduras and included 3 assaults, 1 robbery, 1 attempted robbery, 1 attempted piracy, and 1 piracy-related suspicious activity report. This represents a continued overall decline from the 2023 peak of 16 violent incidents (when 10 assaults were recorded), and marks the second consecutive year below 10 violent incidents.

Summary and Best Practices

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 most importantly, lifting and locking dinghies overnight—demonstrably reduces risk. Removing/securing desirable items from the deck/cockpit removes temptation and reduces risk. Perimeter alarms, both light and sound, startle and discourage sneak thieves. Securing companionways/doorways and hatches overnight provides additional protection for crew.

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.

To read the full report:

Caribbean Safety and Security Network 2025 Annual Report

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

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

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