Pirate Attack in the Caribbean

While Somali pirates demand $7 million — or the release from custody of seven comrades — for the return of British cruisers Paul and Rachel Chandler, Derek Holden of the Privateer 35 Albatross III reports that well-known Michigan racer Juan Pablo ‘J.P.’ Del Solar Goldsmith was the victim of a pirate attack aboard his Beneteau 47.7 Blu Interlude at the Honduran/Nicaraguan border. "He just got to Panama a few days ago," Holden writes. "When he told us that he was attacked by pirates, I suggested he write to Latitude so other sailors know what happened. Here’s his report:

"’At 0700 on Monday, October 26, 2009, we were underway along the Nicaraguan Banks, about 16 miles off Cabo Gracias a Dios (15° 4.7′ N, 82° 55.1 W). We were flagged down by a 25-ft green panga with four men on board. Some of the pirates were wearing paramilitary clothing. We slowed the boat down, then the pirates pulled shotguns and pistols and boarded us. At gun point, they tied up all three of us and took cameras, money, the dinghy outboard, watches, sunglasses, handheld GPS and VHF radios and cell phones. They were aboard for about 45 minutes searching the boat for valuables. The attack was reported to the Coast Guard at San Andreas Island, Colombia, on Tuesday October 27, 2009.’"

This area of the Caribbean is not known for piracy. We’re thrilled that the crew of Blu Interlude came away without injury and sincerely hope this attack was an anomaly, not a sign of things to come.