Is this a question of ethics, protecting yourself, or just trying to outsmart criminals?
I was recently watching an interview with Captain Fatty Goodlander and he was talking about a myriad of subjects; one of them being how to say "No" to bribery when cruising. He mentioned that he actually kept several copies of his ships registration so that when a corrupt official tried to hold those documents hostage (kept in a locked box until you pay my bribe), he could just say 'piss off' and leave. It sounded more like those documents were not just 'official' copies, they are actually forged copies or completely fabricated documents.
Using those kinds of documents to out smart would-be corrupt officials sounds like it comes with a certain amount of risk to yourself and your vessel I suppose. When do you even know the right time and place to 'deploy' forged documents? I guess the passing of local knowledge from one sailor to another (like in these forums) gives you a heads up as to what locations you will likely experience corruption.
Ethically... I have no problem with this. I have not cruised the world on my own vessel but I have been to many places with the military and seen corruption at every level. I personally would not loose any sleep over employing some of Fatty Goodlander's tactics. What are your thoughts and experiences? What kinds of personal risks do you expose yourself to when trying avoid victimization but at the same time breaking regulations or laws yourself?
I was recently watching an interview with Captain Fatty Goodlander and he was talking about a myriad of subjects; one of them being how to say "No" to bribery when cruising. He mentioned that he actually kept several copies of his ships registration so that when a corrupt official tried to hold those documents hostage (kept in a locked box until you pay my bribe), he could just say 'piss off' and leave. It sounded more like those documents were not just 'official' copies, they are actually forged copies or completely fabricated documents.
Using those kinds of documents to out smart would-be corrupt officials sounds like it comes with a certain amount of risk to yourself and your vessel I suppose. When do you even know the right time and place to 'deploy' forged documents? I guess the passing of local knowledge from one sailor to another (like in these forums) gives you a heads up as to what locations you will likely experience corruption.
Ethically... I have no problem with this. I have not cruised the world on my own vessel but I have been to many places with the military and seen corruption at every level. I personally would not loose any sleep over employing some of Fatty Goodlander's tactics. What are your thoughts and experiences? What kinds of personal risks do you expose yourself to when trying avoid victimization but at the same time breaking regulations or laws yourself?