by Stephen Bryen at Weapons and Strategy
Why were 11 People onboard?
President Trump released dramatic footage of a Tren de Aragua fast boat destroyed somewhere in international waters off the coast of Venezuela. According to the President, all 11 occupants of the boat died when it exploded. One question that lingers over this event, which marked a major policy change by the current administration, is why the fast boat was carrying 11 people. Typically, fast boats are operated by two of three crew members.
Narco Fast Boats are sometimes also called Go Fasts.
A fast boat is usually made from fiberglass. The boats are manufactured under cover, often near the coastline in jungle areas. They are fast because they are equipped with powerful inboard or outboard engines. The destroyed fast boat had three outboard engines. These engines are often from major manufacturers like Yamaha and Mercury, with individual motors capable of 250 horsepower or more. Some fast boats can have as many as five to eight engines with a total output sometimes exceeding 2,000 horsepower. They can be launched from many areas in South and Central America. These boats have high fuel consumption, so they often need refueling as they traverse either the Caribbean, Atlantic or Pacific routes to the United States.
