The area east and north of the Zelaya Department of Nicaragua consists of thousands of square miles of shallows, extending an average of 100 miles off the coasts of Nicaragua and Honduras.
In fact, during his fourth and final voyage, Columbus lost a few ships in a huge storm, and it was only rounding the eastern tip of Honduras/Nicaragua that his fleet found relief, and to this day the area is known as Cabo Gracias a Dios or "Cape thanks be to God".
That there are many ships in the area, in addition to his, comes as no surprise. It is subject to seasonal tropical storms and it's a long way to the edge of the continental shelf.
thanks.