Honduras/Nicaragua border: Piracy – October 2017

As reported by the Caribbean Safety & Security Net

DATE: 2017-10-28 12:00

Country Name: Honduras

Location Detail: Disputed waters off Honduras/Nicaragua border

EVENT: Piracy

HAND: 1

STOLEN ITEMS: Cash, phone, GPS, computer, dive gear, fishing gear, food, medicine, rum and many small items

SECURED: Not Locked

DETAILS:

A single-hander departed Livingston, Guatemala for Providencia Island (Colombia) on 28th October 2017.

At noon, when about 35 miles offshore of the Honduras/Nicaragua border, he was boarded while motoring by 20 men in 3 pirogues.

The pirates did NOT display any weapons, but simply overran the yacht. The captain did not resist in any way.

The pirates ransacked the yacht for about an hour. They “took everything”, cash, phone, GPS, computer, dive gear, fishing gear, food, medicine, rum and many small items. The captain was able to negotiate with the leaders and was allowed to keep a navigational computer and a small GPS, as well as some jerry jugs of diesel. The pirates asked for drugs before finally departing.

There were no injuries. The captain describes that damage to the yacht was out of ignorance, not malice.

A report was made to Colombian officials in Providencia on arrival.