Cruising with guns aboard in the Bahamas is standard practice particularly if one expects to anchor in remote locations. The Bahamian authorities know this, expect it; but expect that you conform to their laws by declaring all fire arms, amounts of ammunition, serial numbers, etc. Several yeas ago we entered the Bahamas at Walker's Cay expecting to cruise through the Abacos, down the length of Eluthera, accross to Little SanSalvador, down the length of Cat Island, then hop over to Conception Island, then to George Town on Great EXuma Island, a trip I had been accustomed doing for several years, anchoring out every night in what frequently were totally deserted anchorages. On declaring the guns (one a 38 cal.Smith& Wesson stainless snubnose revolver, the other a 9mm stainless automatic), I forgot to copy the serial number of one of them and on entering the information on Bahamian Customs forms, I stupidly entered a ficticious number just to expedite the proceedure. My boat at the time was a 27 ft. SeaRay Sundancer, a boat highly favored by drug runners because of its cheap price and load carrying ability (a wide 10 ft. beam). For that reason the boat (and myself) had been under suspition, for this was the 4th year in a row i had made the trip. AS a result, I spent four days in a Nassau jail because of the gun serial number discrepancy (while the authorities searched my boat stem to stern in league with the DEA). I was issued a legal clean-bill-of-health by the Bahamian Courts & their police now have two nice stainless steal weapons which were confiscated. Don't ever mess with the law in foreigh countries.
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Guns and the Bahamas
I have made this trip eight times, anchoring in remote places and in crowded places too. We carry no firearms. I have always felt that if necessary, a blast from the flare gun would do the trick. I will have to say that with all this travel, I have never once felt threatened. We have only once been approched by a native vessel, to ask if we wanted to buy some lobster. I have found Bahamians to be friendly and respectful at all times. As with any travel, don't go into questionable areas alone at night. Hope this puts some fears to rest!
I have made this trip eight times, anchoring in remote places and in crowded places too. We carry no firearms. I have always felt that if necessary, a blast from the flare gun would do the trick. I will have to say that with all this travel, I have never once felt threatened. We have only once been approched by a native vessel, to ask if we wanted to buy some lobster. I have found Bahamians to be friendly and respectful at all times. As with any travel, don't go into questionable areas alone at night. Hope this puts some fears to rest!
Jim you are right
Jim, you are right, the Bahamians have been universally friendly and helpful over all our years of travel there. I have never had an encounter where I felt threatened. However, going back all those years certain facts would make carrying a gun a comfort: 1. For years the Bahamas were an entrepot for drugs going to the U.S. One cay in the Exuma chain was owned by a So. American drug lord. 2. It was rumored that a group of smugglers,camped on the W. Coast of Abaco, were "done-in" by Bahamian authorities in a supprise raid. 3. I was approached while at anchor at Little San Salvador by a single hander who was obviously looking for valuables. (I don't ever expect to be caught out in a gale, but I carry a parachute sea anchor. Doo doo happens!). 9/11, Islamic suicide bombers, the Baltimore snipers, Ted Bundy, "going postal," Columbine High School, all say it is still a dangerous world, sorry to tell you.
Jim, you are right, the Bahamians have been universally friendly and helpful over all our years of travel there. I have never had an encounter where I felt threatened. However, going back all those years certain facts would make carrying a gun a comfort: 1. For years the Bahamas were an entrepot for drugs going to the U.S. One cay in the Exuma chain was owned by a So. American drug lord. 2. It was rumored that a group of smugglers,camped on the W. Coast of Abaco, were "done-in" by Bahamian authorities in a supprise raid. 3. I was approached while at anchor at Little San Salvador by a single hander who was obviously looking for valuables. (I don't ever expect to be caught out in a gale, but I carry a parachute sea anchor. Doo doo happens!). 9/11, Islamic suicide bombers, the Baltimore snipers, Ted Bundy, "going postal," Columbine High School, all say it is still a dangerous world, sorry to tell you.
I've heard it more than once....
Those who declare their firearms are never boarded or bothered by theives. My understanding is everyone in the Bahammas are related in some way, the officials put out the word when a vessel is prepared with arms so their cousins don't get shot in robbery attempts. I'll pack if I go.
Those who declare their firearms are never boarded or bothered by theives. My understanding is everyone in the Bahammas are related in some way, the officials put out the word when a vessel is prepared with arms so their cousins don't get shot in robbery attempts. I'll pack if I go.
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