The Caribbean Safety and Security Network (CSSN) annual report for 2023 provides details and analysis of reported crimes against yachts in the Caribbean and notes that violent crimes rose significantly both in proportion and in an absolute sense and were spread more broadly geographically across the region.

Published 1 week ago

Source:  Caribbean Safety and Security Network

Overall reported crimes decreased substantially from 2022 to levels similar to long term averages. However, there was a significant change in the nature of reported crimes. Violent crimes rose significantly both in proportion and in an absolute sense, and these crimes were spread more broadly geographically across the region.

Location of Incidents in 2023

While 2023 saw an overall reduction in reported crimes from 121 to 103, a 15% decrease, violent incidents continued their upward trend increasing from 12 to 16 (+33%) with the incidents spread broadly in the region. Assaults doubled from 5 to 10 of the total Violent incidents, while the Piracy constellation (piracy, attempted piracy, suspicious activity) halved (8 to 4) for the year.  A detailed summary of these 16 incidents is available here.

Six countries accounted for slightly more than half of all incidents in 2023. St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) remains in the top spot (11 total, 2 Violent) which it shares with Grenada (11 total, none Violent) Trinidad (9 total, 2 Violent) and Panama (9 total, 1 Violent) St. Lucia (8 total, 1 Violent) and Honduras (8 total, 2 Violent).  Crimes against yachts in each of these top countries will be described in more detail below.

Total Reported Incidents by Year

The overall decrease in reported incidents was a welcomed change, but the increase in Violent incidents troubling. Cruisers have become better prepared to limit or prevent common dinghy thefts, but violent actions, while not common, require more thoughtful attention. Violent incidents can be discouraged/prevented/mitigated with basic planning, preparation and good communications among the crew.

Local governments continue to do little to support criminal apprehension, however SVG did add Coast Guard patrols in Bequia after a rash of burglaries in 2022. Dinghies and outboards remain the primary target for thieves. Theft remains largely a crime of opportunity with too many dinghies left poorly secured with simple padlocks and cable.

As cruisers have upgraded, so have thieves – at times arriving well prepared with tools of their own. Even lifted dinghies are within the reach of determined thieves, making lifting and secure locking the best practice. Many cruisers have upgraded elements of dinghy security but lifting overnight and robust locking systems have not become universal.

Video surveillance at dinghy docks remains uncommon. Intrusion alarms / surveillance systems have become more affordable and more common, and are now utilized onboard many cruising yachts. Video surveillance/tracking devices have captured some thieves in action, but law enforcement has not demonstrated a willingness to act meaningfully on this information.  Most common tracking devices are designed to be easily detected by anyone in close proximity, and are easily detected/subverted/destroyed by accomplished thieves.

Violent and Non-Violent Crime 2017 – 2023

Reported Non-violent crime (burglary, theft, vandalism, other) was reduced 20% in 2023 from 109 to 87 incidents. However, Violent/Serious crimes have continued to ramp up post-Covid.

Countries where Violent crime was reported

The details of each of these 16 events can be found on the Piracy and 2023 annual Zoom-Tap Know and Go maps and in summary form here.

Country Breakdown

Thefts (76) continue to dominate our reports.  Overall in 2023, 54% of the total 103 reported incidents were concentrated in six countries. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, (SVG) although down year-to-year, remains in the top spot with 10% of all reports, Grenada also at 10%, Trinidad (new to this group) and Panama both at 9% with St. Lucia and Honduras (also new to this group) each at 8% .

While no incident reports are presented here, use the popular Zoom-Tap, Know & Go feature on the CSSN website to review the detailed incident reports from these (or any) location easily or activate CSSN 3rd party data in the Noforeignland app.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

The multi-island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) again tops the list with 11 reported incidents, (primarily theft) spread throughout its many islands. SVG incidents dropped significantly from 26 total incidents in 2022. In 2023, Bequia (where Coast Guard patrols were instituted) and Saint Vincent each contributed 3 to the total 11. Assaults occurred in Buccament Bay, Saint Vincent (also in 2022) and for the first time in Saline Bay, Mayreau.

Grenada

Grenada recorded 11 incidents in 2023, 10 of which were thefts, 1 vandalism. The incidents occurred in the more populated southern bays of Grenada as well as the western bays and Carriacou.

Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad is new to the top list and reported 9 incidents in 2023, 7 thefts and 1 each attempted robbery and assault. All occurred in Chaguaramas, with the exception of the assault in nearby but isolated Scotland Bay.

Panama

Panama (9) returns for a third time to the top group with 9 recorded incidents including an assault in Portobello. The remaining thefts (8) were spread principally throughout the Bocas Del Toro island group.

St. Lucia

St. Lucia (9) recorded a single assault in Anse Canaries in 2023 after dominating the Assault and Robbery categories in 2022 (5). Patrols were reinstituted by the Soufriere Marine Management Area (SMMA). Reported thefts were concentrated in the outer Marigot Bay anchorage, and a single act of vandalism occurred at the Pitons.

Honduras

Honduras (8), is new to the top list and recorded an assault (1) in Coxen Hole, Roatan, attempted piracy offshore (1) as well as multiple thefts (5)/attempted theft (1) in West End Roatan.

CSSN and the Cruising Community

Informed choices prevent/mitigate bad outcomes. Informed choices start with trusted, high-quality information. CSSN first hand reports bring the most complete and best quality information to our community, and continue to dominate our published reports.

We all depend on each other to self-report, but there is more to do. As communication channels continue to multiply it is important to make centralized (and then consolidated/archived) reports to CSSN.  Please, support and help our community by getting the word out in any and every channel you use, tell two (or more!) friends about CSSN. CSSN volunteers have worked hard to make incident reporting accessible, easy and private. Reporting in all languages supported by Google is fully enabled.

If you are a victim, it’s easy to do your part – just complete the simple online incident report. If you become aware of an incident, support and encourage the victims in making a timely and private firsthand report to CSSN.   Tag us or share a link to our online reporting form, or make a report yourself (we will work closely with you to get the best available facts). CSSN’s site, information and many resources are tools made freely available (and ad free) to our cruising community. We all share the responsibility to use them wisely for our mutual safety and security.

CSSN remains an all-volunteer, independent, self-funded team. We commit considerable amounts of our time and it only requires a small amount of yours to keep everyone well informed. Please encourage your friends to subscribe to (FREE) ALERTS!, the Noforeignland app or follow us on social media, or in . Check out the many helpful resources available on our website and make CSSN a permanent part of your risk assessment and cruise planning process.

With your valued input CSSN informs, and captains decide.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

CSSN welcomes feedback and suggestions, simply click the “CONTACT US” link on any page of the CSSN website.

Safe Cruising,
Kim White and the all-volunteer CSSN team

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Related News

• 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)

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Related Links

• CSSN Online Incident Reporting Form

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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.