For those who cruise in the Caribbean, how safe do you feel from robbery? Are some island chains considered to be worse than others? It always seemed a little crazy to me that you aren't allowed to carry a firearm on a boat when entering any port there, but that same rule also advertises to robbers that you will be easy pickings for piracy.
Pirates in the Caribbean?
- Thread starter Raleigh500
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Molotov cocktails and flares can provide a
strong deterent. But there is no defense if they should come in shooting. Try not to look like an attractive target or a victim. Sailboats can do little against an armed fast powerboat. The cry "prepare to repel boarders" can be best carried out with wasp and hornet spray. It contains an organic phosphate compound that requires medical response with very short delay. Look closely at the first aid instruction on such a product and the advise to physicians for treatment. In all cases firearms and other self defense methods arm to be used as a last resort NOT as a first response.
strong deterent. But there is no defense if they should come in shooting. Try not to look like an attractive target or a victim. Sailboats can do little against an armed fast powerboat. The cry "prepare to repel boarders" can be best carried out with wasp and hornet spray. It contains an organic phosphate compound that requires medical response with very short delay. Look closely at the first aid instruction on such a product and the advise to physicians for treatment. In all cases firearms and other self defense methods arm to be used as a last resort NOT as a first response.
Latitude 38
Had an article on a robber who was stealing a dingy, they shot him with a magnesium flare, and he died; no charges were filed against the two cruisers. This was Mexico a few years back. Different laws in other countrys. During the one of the Whitebread 'round the world races, the crew found two robbers aboard in the dead of night. They beat them pretty soundly according to the news, and the government subsequently arrested the crew. This was the famous stop in South America that I cannot remember the name of the country. Scuttle-butt form other crusiers is, Carribean is very bad for losing dingys, outboards and other gear if yacht is left alone. Bad all over but not much piracy outside of s. America near Panama. Haiti and Jamaica are noted for robbery ashore.But then so is Florida too...;-)
Had an article on a robber who was stealing a dingy, they shot him with a magnesium flare, and he died; no charges were filed against the two cruisers. This was Mexico a few years back. Different laws in other countrys. During the one of the Whitebread 'round the world races, the crew found two robbers aboard in the dead of night. They beat them pretty soundly according to the news, and the government subsequently arrested the crew. This was the famous stop in South America that I cannot remember the name of the country. Scuttle-butt form other crusiers is, Carribean is very bad for losing dingys, outboards and other gear if yacht is left alone. Bad all over but not much piracy outside of s. America near Panama. Haiti and Jamaica are noted for robbery ashore.But then so is Florida too...;-)
After you beat a would be robber
You tie him up,tell no one and take him sailing and 50 or 60 miles off shore tell him to get off your boat if he's a good swimmer he will think twice about boarding a boat if he's a bad swimmer he will be thinking why did I board that boat.
You tie him up,tell no one and take him sailing and 50 or 60 miles off shore tell him to get off your boat if he's a good swimmer he will think twice about boarding a boat if he's a bad swimmer he will be thinking why did I board that boat.
357 vrs Uzi
BTW I agree with skipper Ross here on being out gunned, look what happened to Sir Peter Blake. He came up the companionway with a rifle, fired on these robbers, scared them and they killed him. The upshot of this encounter, he was a great sailor and nice person too, is that Sir Blake did not know what he was up against true, but these people seldom kill, they are after money. This particular gang had been operatting for years andhad never raped nor hurt anyone, according to the newspapers story. The cruisers consenses is: you will always be outgunned, if confronted give money etc (keep most in a safe hidy-hole), and most important buddie-boat whenever possible in danger areas. Sir Blake was killed in the mouth of the Amazon on a fairly large research vessel, but it can happen anywhere to any vessel. I gave up my pistol at each port, they took each round and counted them too. They always left the 25mm flare pistol and I had a stainless insert made that would fire 12 gage shells.
BTW I agree with skipper Ross here on being out gunned, look what happened to Sir Peter Blake. He came up the companionway with a rifle, fired on these robbers, scared them and they killed him. The upshot of this encounter, he was a great sailor and nice person too, is that Sir Blake did not know what he was up against true, but these people seldom kill, they are after money. This particular gang had been operatting for years andhad never raped nor hurt anyone, according to the newspapers story. The cruisers consenses is: you will always be outgunned, if confronted give money etc (keep most in a safe hidy-hole), and most important buddie-boat whenever possible in danger areas. Sir Blake was killed in the mouth of the Amazon on a fairly large research vessel, but it can happen anywhere to any vessel. I gave up my pistol at each port, they took each round and counted them too. They always left the 25mm flare pistol and I had a stainless insert made that would fire 12 gage shells.
Insert- hmmmm didn't know that..
A friend with a machine shop made mine. 12 gage bird-shot kicked bad, but made a wood stock that fitted onto the aluminum pistol butt. At every port I was in they let me keep my flare pistol and all flares, both 25 mil and 12 gauge. most yachts going through the dreaded 'Torres strait' carry a 12 gauge shot gun to ward off the 'saltys'.
A friend with a machine shop made mine. 12 gage bird-shot kicked bad, but made a wood stock that fitted onto the aluminum pistol butt. At every port I was in they let me keep my flare pistol and all flares, both 25 mil and 12 gauge. most yachts going through the dreaded 'Torres strait' carry a 12 gauge shot gun to ward off the 'saltys'.
Caribbean Question?
The Pirates of the Caribbean are basically a thing of the past. Spanish galleons loaded with Gold no longer sail. There are thiefs and you should chain and lock everything from dinguies to outboards and electronics on unnattended boats. Even at high end marinas stuff not tied down will likely dissapear. On the other hand armed assault is very rare at sea but once you step ashore you need to be alert as land based armed robbery is more of a problem. Don't get drunk and wander off in the middle of the night. The criminal activities that predominate in the islands is geared to human smuggling and the drug trade and these bad guys don't have time to full around with sailboats. The US Coast Guard and DEA patrol these water heavily under agreement with the different governments. I would would not worry in the chain of islands until you get to Trinidad, the coast of Venezuela and Colombia where piracy is frequently reported. If you have a weapon aboard analyze the situation carefully as most likely once they have your money and jewelry they will let you go but if you pull a gun up front chances are there is going to be a gun fight. Each island is different so if you intend to do some cruising in the area I would suggest you research them indpendently. To put it in perspective I would feel safer sailing the Virgin Islands, Windward and Leeward Islands than I would feel sailing the coast of Louisiana.
The Pirates of the Caribbean are basically a thing of the past. Spanish galleons loaded with Gold no longer sail. There are thiefs and you should chain and lock everything from dinguies to outboards and electronics on unnattended boats. Even at high end marinas stuff not tied down will likely dissapear. On the other hand armed assault is very rare at sea but once you step ashore you need to be alert as land based armed robbery is more of a problem. Don't get drunk and wander off in the middle of the night. The criminal activities that predominate in the islands is geared to human smuggling and the drug trade and these bad guys don't have time to full around with sailboats. The US Coast Guard and DEA patrol these water heavily under agreement with the different governments. I would would not worry in the chain of islands until you get to Trinidad, the coast of Venezuela and Colombia where piracy is frequently reported. If you have a weapon aboard analyze the situation carefully as most likely once they have your money and jewelry they will let you go but if you pull a gun up front chances are there is going to be a gun fight. Each island is different so if you intend to do some cruising in the area I would suggest you research them indpendently. To put it in perspective I would feel safer sailing the Virgin Islands, Windward and Leeward Islands than I would feel sailing the coast of Louisiana.
Benny, Chris & RAD
Purrrty funny thar RAD, and what they deserve. Is that 38 special (s) Chris? Gotta git me one a them, can't kick like a shotgun. You hit it square on the head Benny, agree with your post. Robberies are practically non-existant in the South Paciic.
Purrrty funny thar RAD, and what they deserve. Is that 38 special (s) Chris? Gotta git me one a them, can't kick like a shotgun. You hit it square on the head Benny, agree with your post. Robberies are practically non-existant in the South Paciic.
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