SOURCE:  CSSN Incident Report

DATE:  2024-04-20 18:30

LOCATION:  Honduras – Offshore

EVENT:  Suspicious Activity

HAND: 1

STOLEN ITEMS:    N/A

SECURED:  N/A

DETAILS:

A motor yacht moving at 8.2kn was transiting from the San Blas islands, Panama, to the US via the Yucatan channel. At 1830HRS at position 16-21.197N 081-26.630W, approximately 130nm from the NE coast of Honduras in the Thunder Knoll area, they observed a 50-65′ white fishing vessel with beige superstructure at a distance of 1.8nm. The yacht altered course and added speed (8.8kn). Radar indicated that the fishing vessel had significantly increased its speed (8.5kn) and altered its direction to an intercept course. There were no radio communications. As a precaution the yacht went dark (lights and AIS transmit off). Several course changes by the yacht were mirrored by the fishing vessel that continued to track at speed on an intercept course.

The yachts crew prepared in accordance with their previously agreed boarding plan. They readied multiple flares, a spear gun and had already preprogrammed USCG phone numbers in their devices/Starlink. They began to close and secure all access points. PLBs and EPIRBS were hidden but remained easily accessible to the crew.

After about a half hour of pursuit/evasion the yacht had increased the distance to 2.3nm and the fishing vessel turned around, reduced speed and slowly headed SSW back to the area where it had first been sighted.

The crew notified another vessel traveling behind them about the situation and they chose to alter course 30nm further east. After some distance had been achieved the yacht restored its lights/AIS transmit and continued its passage. They will make a report to officials on arrival.