There has been alot of talk about carrying some type of defense weapon while at sea. It is unfortunate that there is the fear of pirate/bad guys that board a cruising sailboat . There are many stories about people being murdered at sea that makes me fear sailing in distant parts of the world. Can anyone share their experiences and suggestions for a defence when sailing in distant waters?
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Safety in numbers
All the acts of piracy I've read about in the last 10 years have been assaults on a single boat. The areas involved include the Red Sea (Yemen, Somalia), Indonesia, the Philippines, Nigeria, and Honduras. If cruising these areas, join a flotilla. I can't recall a single mention of attack on a flotilla.
All the acts of piracy I've read about in the last 10 years have been assaults on a single boat. The areas involved include the Red Sea (Yemen, Somalia), Indonesia, the Philippines, Nigeria, and Honduras. If cruising these areas, join a flotilla. I can't recall a single mention of attack on a flotilla.
add Haiti to that list
... add Haiti to that list. Single boats are increasingly coming under attack along its coasts and there were reports last year of the 'pirates' killing those aboard. Another questionable area is the southern coast of Jamaica west of Kingston. There is enough piracy around the world now that it sustains a couple of private companies who provide ship security, including manpower. Mostly ex-SEALS and such. Probably a bit pricey for most of us.
If alone and attacked there are accounts where the captains who waved shotguns about scared off the uninvited guests. The shotgun is to be preffered if you feel it necessary to carry a weapon, it's the most 'fearsome' looking, it is easily the most recognized, and also it is the least 'hassled' by customs. Also it is the cheapest: you can get old 12GA pumps for around $100 and if it rusts or you lose it your not out much. If you keep it in a sealed bag with lots of cheap dessicant, it won't rust nearly so fast. However, an accidental blast downward through the hull is considerably tougher to plug up than a 9mm. g'Luk
... add Haiti to that list. Single boats are increasingly coming under attack along its coasts and there were reports last year of the 'pirates' killing those aboard. Another questionable area is the southern coast of Jamaica west of Kingston. There is enough piracy around the world now that it sustains a couple of private companies who provide ship security, including manpower. Mostly ex-SEALS and such. Probably a bit pricey for most of us.
If alone and attacked there are accounts where the captains who waved shotguns about scared off the uninvited guests. The shotgun is to be preffered if you feel it necessary to carry a weapon, it's the most 'fearsome' looking, it is easily the most recognized, and also it is the least 'hassled' by customs. Also it is the cheapest: you can get old 12GA pumps for around $100 and if it rusts or you lose it your not out much. If you keep it in a sealed bag with lots of cheap dessicant, it won't rust nearly so fast. However, an accidental blast downward through the hull is considerably tougher to plug up than a 9mm. g'LukI've wondered that too
I've wondered about that too and figured I would take my 9mm and a 30o6 hunting rifle but the shotgun does sound a bit more threating. I also wondered what would happen if somehow I got boarded by CG or some other inforcement agendcy and they found them. I know I need a permit to carry a weapon here in Texas but I'm sure that permit wouldn't be valid any other place. Any kind of permit one can get to carry a weapon legally on a boat in international waters and/or waters of other countries?
I've wondered about that too and figured I would take my 9mm and a 30o6 hunting rifle but the shotgun does sound a bit more threating. I also wondered what would happen if somehow I got boarded by CG or some other inforcement agendcy and they found them. I know I need a permit to carry a weapon here in Texas but I'm sure that permit wouldn't be valid any other place. Any kind of permit one can get to carry a weapon legally on a boat in international waters and/or waters of other countries?
ports of call
You have to declare and in most cases surrender the guns when you enter a foreign port (and you declare them when you come home too). This means you need to clear out of the same port you cleared into. This can be a headache. Both Mossberg and Remington make "marinerized" pump actions. These have a high-tech, low-gloss nickle finsh that is supposed to be able to take salt water. (The seals used to use the Mossberg, or so I've been told, before they adopted a Beretta.) Mossberg Mariners are about 400 bucks. Pretty cheap for something that could save your life. There are long discussions in the archives over at the old usenet discussion groups. (alt.rec.boats?) Don't start a new discussion over there, you will be shouted down. My personal take on firearms is that I would rather have them, and not need them, than need them and not have them.
You have to declare and in most cases surrender the guns when you enter a foreign port (and you declare them when you come home too). This means you need to clear out of the same port you cleared into. This can be a headache. Both Mossberg and Remington make "marinerized" pump actions. These have a high-tech, low-gloss nickle finsh that is supposed to be able to take salt water. (The seals used to use the Mossberg, or so I've been told, before they adopted a Beretta.) Mossberg Mariners are about 400 bucks. Pretty cheap for something that could save your life. There are long discussions in the archives over at the old usenet discussion groups. (alt.rec.boats?) Don't start a new discussion over there, you will be shouted down. My personal take on firearms is that I would rather have them, and not need them, than need them and not have them.
tracking piracy - flotillas not always safe
http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/overview.php International Chamber of Commerce runs the Piracy Reporting Center. This covers mostly attacks on shipping, but kidnapp/ransome activities and other actions against private yachts are covered. http://noonsite.com/General/Piracy Noonsite tracks piracy targeting private vessels. http://www.yacht-secure.co.uk/home.html Yacht Secure mega-yacht security. Kidnapping and ransome are a real issues for those rich folks. http://www.yachtpiracy.org/en/dangerous_regions.htm YachtPiracty.org gives us this description of Columbia Columbia The situation is better than its image. Beautiful Cartagena seems to be pretty safe. On the other hand just on September 29, 2002 three US yachts have been attacked at Punta Hermosa, 50 nm NE of Cartagena.
http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/overview.php International Chamber of Commerce runs the Piracy Reporting Center. This covers mostly attacks on shipping, but kidnapp/ransome activities and other actions against private yachts are covered. http://noonsite.com/General/Piracy Noonsite tracks piracy targeting private vessels. http://www.yacht-secure.co.uk/home.html Yacht Secure mega-yacht security. Kidnapping and ransome are a real issues for those rich folks. http://www.yachtpiracy.org/en/dangerous_regions.htm YachtPiracty.org gives us this description of Columbia Columbia The situation is better than its image. Beautiful Cartagena seems to be pretty safe. On the other hand just on September 29, 2002 three US yachts have been attacked at Punta Hermosa, 50 nm NE of Cartagena.
Firearms Regulations by Country
Ask 10 wannabe prospective cruisers, and 5 or 6 might tell you they’ll be carrying firearms. Ask 10 experienced cruisers, and 1 or 2 might still be carrying firearms. Firearms Regulations by Country: http://cruisersforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1641 HTH Gord May
Ask 10 wannabe prospective cruisers, and 5 or 6 might tell you they’ll be carrying firearms. Ask 10 experienced cruisers, and 1 or 2 might still be carrying firearms. Firearms Regulations by Country: http://cruisersforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1641 HTH Gord May
Self Defense
I rather by judged by twelve than carried by six! A 12 gauge pump shotgun with 00 buckshot is a great equalizer! This is a fine world we live in!
I rather by judged by twelve than carried by six! A 12 gauge pump shotgun with 00 buckshot is a great equalizer! This is a fine world we live in!
Defence suggestions
I understand your concerns and I'd like to offer up a few thoughts. Piracy is all about money. If you look rich and act rich then you'll attract attention from the bad guys. If you sail into unknown waters, especially solo and then go snooping on peoples private land you'll encounter hostility. Safety in numbers is an old adage and very true. Try and maintain a lookout at all times in dodgy areas and the more boats you have together the better. Weapons are a thorny issue. As has been said a shotgun has real threat appeal. The problem is maneouvring it in the confines of a boat makes it less than effective. A hand gun however is easily concealed, easily deployed and can be effective as close range without stray rounds doing massive damageto you, your crew or your boat. In my former life as a Royal Marine who specialised in boats and boating I'd say the best defence is to be savvy enough not to get into the situation in the first place. Use your your judgement. When in doubt as to a persons intentions, first of all get underway. If you are anchored then consider having the anchor chain tied on rather than shackled on. A quick cut and run would lose you an anchor but save your life. Once you are underway get on the radio, the phone or whatever, get a call out for assistance, remember to give your location. Trigger your EPIRB if you're really worried, It'll help set the alarms ringing far and wide. Same goes for using your flares and smoke generators. Being underway and able to maneouvre is essential, boarding an unhelpful moving boat is very difficult, believe me. If you are being chased by a propellor boat consider ensnaring his prop by throwing your mooring lines, nets, hammocks etc overboard directly ahead of his bow so they get sucked into his props. If nothing else it'll make his job harder. Last point, if you are going to use a firearm, make sure it's a last resort and aim for the middle of the target, fire two shots each time if possible. Just remember that there are genuine people out there who just want to borrow some sugar from you
I understand your concerns and I'd like to offer up a few thoughts. Piracy is all about money. If you look rich and act rich then you'll attract attention from the bad guys. If you sail into unknown waters, especially solo and then go snooping on peoples private land you'll encounter hostility. Safety in numbers is an old adage and very true. Try and maintain a lookout at all times in dodgy areas and the more boats you have together the better. Weapons are a thorny issue. As has been said a shotgun has real threat appeal. The problem is maneouvring it in the confines of a boat makes it less than effective. A hand gun however is easily concealed, easily deployed and can be effective as close range without stray rounds doing massive damageto you, your crew or your boat. In my former life as a Royal Marine who specialised in boats and boating I'd say the best defence is to be savvy enough not to get into the situation in the first place. Use your your judgement. When in doubt as to a persons intentions, first of all get underway. If you are anchored then consider having the anchor chain tied on rather than shackled on. A quick cut and run would lose you an anchor but save your life. Once you are underway get on the radio, the phone or whatever, get a call out for assistance, remember to give your location. Trigger your EPIRB if you're really worried, It'll help set the alarms ringing far and wide. Same goes for using your flares and smoke generators. Being underway and able to maneouvre is essential, boarding an unhelpful moving boat is very difficult, believe me. If you are being chased by a propellor boat consider ensnaring his prop by throwing your mooring lines, nets, hammocks etc overboard directly ahead of his bow so they get sucked into his props. If nothing else it'll make his job harder. Last point, if you are going to use a firearm, make sure it's a last resort and aim for the middle of the target, fire two shots each time if possible. Just remember that there are genuine people out there who just want to borrow some sugar from you
If your American or British you look rich
At least to some people. Organized kidnapp/ransome is big in some countries - not targetting the wealthy (they have security) but targeting middle class. Could your family come up with 10 grand? That is all the money in the world in some places. (This is a Big Problem in Sumatra)
At least to some people. Organized kidnapp/ransome is big in some countries - not targetting the wealthy (they have security) but targeting middle class. Could your family come up with 10 grand? That is all the money in the world in some places. (This is a Big Problem in Sumatra)
Debra is right
In a certain South American country of my acquaintance just wearing a watch was enough to get you mugged. An ounce of prevention is better than a ton of cure in my opinion. Use your head, keep a low profile and make yourself a hard target. If all else fails, get your retaliation in first. Much mention is made of pump action shotguns. In my experience their look and cocking action is a big part of their visual appeal. A semi automatic shotgun such as those made by Browning are less visually intimidating but very,very, effective. With a large tube magazine and no cocking between shots they are a formidable weapon. My earlier comments about the unweildyness (is there such a word?) still apply. This is why counter terrorism units favour the use short bodied weapons, HKs etc. and only use shot guns for specific tasks where their power can be fully utilised. But let's not get paranoid here, apply the rule of common sense and if all else fails, remember that it's better to live for one moment as a lion than a lifetime as a lamb
In a certain South American country of my acquaintance just wearing a watch was enough to get you mugged. An ounce of prevention is better than a ton of cure in my opinion. Use your head, keep a low profile and make yourself a hard target. If all else fails, get your retaliation in first.
Much mention is made of pump action shotguns. In my experience their look and cocking action is a big part of their visual appeal. A semi automatic shotgun such as those made by Browning are less visually intimidating but very,very, effective. With a large tube magazine and no cocking between shots they are a formidable weapon. My earlier comments about the unweildyness (is there such a word?) still apply. This is why counter terrorism units favour the use short bodied weapons, HKs etc. and only use shot guns for specific tasks where their power can be fully utilised. But let's not get paranoid here, apply the rule of common sense and if all else fails, remember that it's better to live for one moment as a lion than a lifetime as a lambIf nothing else...
A 12 ga. flare gun at close range will hurt, and every boater should have one on board.
A 12 ga. flare gun at close range will hurt, and every boater should have one on board.
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