Honduras, NE of Gorda Bank and E of Guanaja: Suspicious Activity – June 2019
A sailing vessel en route from Providencia, Columbia to the Bay Islands, Honduras reported to the CSSN about being approached by suspicious vessels.
Published 5 years ago
As reported by CSSN:DATE: 2019-06-28 00:00
Country Name: Honduras
Location Detail: NE of Gorda Bank and 87nm East of Guanaja
EVENT: Suspicious activity
HAND: 1
Stolen Items: None
SECURED: N/A
DETAILS:
A sailing vessel en route from Providencia, Columbia to the Bay Islands, Honduras at 16 27.700′ N 84 50.914′ W at 22:45 sighted two boats off their bow approximately 5 nm away.
The crew on the vessel began monitoring a conversation on VHF 16 in Spanish involving three boats after hearing the word “velero” (sailboat). The VHF conversation eventually seemed to suggest that a plan was being made to attack the yacht. One of the captains was heard to say “I have no fish in my boat, let’s see if we can put something else in it.”
At this point, the yacht went dark and changed course 60-90 degrees to starboard.
After about 30 minutes, one of the vessels that had been sighted was determined to be approaching on an intercepting course. This boat was raised on the bow and the stern like a typical Caribbean steel fishing boat of ~60 feet.
About 1 hour later at 16 29.157’N, 84 58.678’W, the vessel had approached within 500ft but then stopped. VHF 16 conversation resumed with one captain calling the other two boats, only one of which responded to hails.
The yacht continued its course at maximum speed, with no further pursuit.
A report was made to the port captain in Roatan after arrival.
Related to the following Cruising Resources: Piracy & Security
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