Personal security on board

[PeterK]

I don't want to open a discussion on 2nd amendment issues but will say my SO is not comfortable having fire arms on board. What alternatives, i.e. Taser, mace, tactical batons, etc. does anyone have experience with? I'm also curious what alarm systems folks have on board. We hope to make some decisions during the next couple of months as it is our intent to spend a large amount of our time in the future on the hook. The master plan is summer and fall in the Chesapeake and to do some extensive Caribbean cruising next winter.

I thank all in advance.
Peter

BTW we have come up with our vessel's new name: Moor to Life. Documentation is in process and we will advise all when the renaming ceremony will take place! It most likely will be at Loggerhead in Stuart in the next month or two. Love to meet any local HOF members when we have the date set.

 

[Boatsb]

Just fly a white flag so they can come aboard and rob you peacefully. Firearms in the right hands (yours) is the best defense ans did youthe realize you just broadcast the boats name and your unwillingness to defend yourself online? Don't worry no bad people would ever read web posts to find new victims.

 

[Bob Bradley]

Maybe the SO could get her black belt.

Or, you coud get a new SO.

 

[Kim Beatley]

You guys are so nice!!! But the truth is a good friend in your right (or left) hand is the only way to go; one that likes 410 shells or even a 45.

 

[bobk]

Peter,

We are almost neighbors. You will find a few other Hatts at Loggerhead Stuart. Just went by there today on my Angler. I live in Port St Lucie on Kitching Cove.

Bobk
Chateau de Mer

 

[Boatsb]

Close enough for a tazer or a club means your already screwed. Be realistic or stay on land. Cruising open waters is no place for pacifists.

 

[SeaEric]

You guys are so nice!!! But the truth is a good friend in your right (or left) hand is the only way to go; one that likes 410 shells or even a 45.

Yep. It's a Taurus model called The "Judge". It's on my short list of 2013 purchases.

 

[Artzco]

Yep. It's a Taurus model called The "Judge". It's on my short list of 2013 purchases.

You got that right. My "Judge" is my jury and protector.

 

[Mike36c]

Peter, there is no '911' when cruising the islands, keep that in mind when choosing a defense. Some one-on-one firearm training with SO would be time well spent and remember, the intent is to never fire on anyone but much like a parachute, when you need it....

 

[rmatt]

Firearms-- Better to have one and not need it than to need one and not have it. Firearm is no more dangerous than the person holding on to it. That being said, you need to know the laws for firearms in each and every port you may visit. A shotgun would be my choice. Less laws and restrictions in most places. Remington and Mossberg both make or made stainless versions. Agree very much on the training.

 

[Jasper]

Without any judgement on the issue of the US firearms laws:
It is absolutely SAD that the country which is often referred to as the land of the free, has a situation where citizens need (note the word need) to worry about arming themselves while enjoying boating. I migrated to Australia in 1982 to get away from this type of life.

 

[Dustoff44]

Personal security

12 gauge flare pistol with 00 shotgun shell works very well at close range. SO doesn't see it as a gun.

 

[rwappleton]

Peter,

There ARE still pirates out there. They WILL kill you and the SO for a few bucks and laugh on the way home. Our opinion is buy a good shotgun and get trained to use it. When on the hook have it immediately available. When near coastal or going to port outside the US have it securely stored (read well hidden). If you are approached show the weapon early. If your being approached by a pirate they will turn and run. I have had this exact experience 3 times in the last 25 years.

We are armed and dangerous! If you approach our boat on the hook more hastily than we like you will get to see some of our arsenal! And if I were you really keep an eye on the Admiral. She is a much better shot than I!

We wish you safe passage always but if the SO doesn't like bilge pumps you gonna take them out?

Required equipment for south of the 32nd parallel as far as we are concerned.

Russ and The Admiral
43DC511

 

[Pascal]

There is really no need to worry about safety in US waters... Most of the time I don't even lock the boat, even when anchored out.

The Bahamas are safe as well although in Nassau i do lock the boat at night or when leaving the boat. In the small islands you don't have to. The only thing I am careful about in the Bahamas is the tender which never stays in the water at night.

The Caribbean is different and varies greatly depending on which island you re at. Obviously places like Jamaica, DR, Haiti are known trouble spots better avoided except maybe the larger guarded marinas in the DR. at Other islands, theft is a concern although there has been case of armed robberies here and there. St marten for one...

 

[jim rosenthal]

Without furthering the discussion of 2nd Amendment issues, the advantage of a shotgun shell is that you are somewhat less likely to sink the boat itself while trying to protect it, and yourselves.

Maybe a Rottweiler? Or the equivalent weight in Jack Russells? I think it's about eight JRs per Rottweiler as a conversion factor......

 

[Boatsb]

I don't drive to Miami without protective devices. Keep them away and you'll be safe. If they get aboard your probably dead already. The sound of a shotgun is pretty intimidating. The bad guys look for the easy marks. show that your not one of them

 

[Glory]

A life raft, 6 bilge pumps, spare impeller, spare N90 injectors, spare filters (for everything), EPIRB, lifejackets, sea anchor, insurance, spare anchor, tapered plugs, you get the idea. I hope to not use any of the above items, but I'm ready.

So if you think the above are good items to have on board to protect youself, loved ones, guests, and your boat, why not have the items to protect your self from the people that might want to harm you?

JM

 

[GJH]

Can anyone cite an incident in the past 10 years where a cruising boat needed firearms on board in the areas contemplated? It has never occurred to me to have a gun on board for defensive reasons. I am comfortable with guns, enjoy them for sport, but I don't duck hunt or skeet shoot off my Hatt. Like Woody Hayes (or was it Darryl Royal?) said about passing the football and why he avoided it. Guns in the hands of people who are not well trained and practiced... there are three things that can happen and two of them are bad.

I take it you armed and dangerous folks wear a PFD and a helmet all the time you are on board? Do you have jacklines installed and harnesses? Much, MUCH more likely you will die or be injured for lack of having one of those on. It's funny how people obsess about trying to protect themselves against issues with an infinitesimal chance of happening, and only marginally mitigating (if not exacerbating) those issues at that.

One man's opinion.

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

Pete:
Take the time to find a indoor range that will rent you a 22 revolver. Invite the wife to visit said establishment just to see what it's (fire arms are) like. Many have a qualified gun instructor who can teach a brief gun safety course. Let her decide if she wants to experience popping off a few rounds with the 22. She will also learn that safe and proper gun ownership virtually eliminates accidental injuries. And hopefully will become much more comfortable with a fire arm on board.
Bill
(yea, I'm still around, and my Hatty still runs great!

 

[wsdemmer]

We are in Stuart over at Sunset Bay Marina (love it) so we are not far from where you will be. When you get in town drop by and see us (but let us know you are coming as we are originally from Texas and you know how us Texans feel about firearms!). Never felt there was a problem in the Bahamas but we did have a tense moment crossing the Gulf of MX about 250nm out from Florida. A light suddenly appeared out of nowhere (did not show up on radar) and then turned towards our yacht. My wife shook me awake as she was on watch and within seconds my heart rate doubled. I woke everyone up and distributed firearms and we waited. Ended up being an old wooden long liner that turned away from us when it approached 200 yards. I definitely did not have to have any coffee for the next few hours! Glad we had firearms on board even though we did not have to use them.