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Feasibility of Marine Bug Out in case of Economic Collapse

Discussion in 'Yacht Captains' started by Sea-Sovereign, Dec 24, 2013.

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  1. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    This is a topic of conversation that does come up around the marinas - although in jest. It's more in terms of what local boat would you 'appropriate' if it came time for the need to get offshore. Funny thing is just about everyone has a boat in mind ...their answers come right quick.

    I joke with a buddy of mine to keep his boat topped off in case it's needed. He only asks if I'll wait for him to get there too. I never answer.
  2. Laurence

    Laurence Senior Member

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    Be prepared

    Sea-Sovereign, I'm with you. I think the boat bug-out solution is a great idea. Isolation, mobility, comfort, shelter, etc. (no camping in the woods and rain!) There are hundreds of thousands Preppers all over the nation. There is a whole supply chain for them, even programs on cable. If the sh*t ever hits the fan or not, its a good idea to have supplies, a plan, and be prepared. Smart preppers never reveal their preparations.
  3. Sea-Sovereign

    Sea-Sovereign New Member

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    @Laurence (and others)
    Thanks for the thoughts. I was very clear when I started this thread that there would, most likely, be those here who would remain moot on this topic, for some obvious and some not-so-obvious reasons. I imagine there are a few here who have already prepared such an option and, for them, discretion is well-advised. I understand and respect this. A marine option in the event of such a collapse seems quite realistic, especially for those of us who would regard the sea as our 'home' -- at least there is a tremendous advantage to executing a survival strategy in an environment where we are most competent, familiar, and comfortable -- 'at home' so to speak. Based on what I've gotten from here thus far, I still think the biggest concern is that most boats (and to a lesser extent - People) are still very dependent on land-based infrastructure and services which are likely to become quite scarce.

    My purpose in starting this thread was to peel back the layers of the onion a little bit... what would be some of the issues that might be the more subtle, less-obvious, yet significant things to consider that would improve the viability of a sea-borne option. My thought was that THIS group of people in particular, might be able to share the most relevant insights and thoughts.

    @RER, yes I've been on the docks and heard those speculations on which boats to 'appropriate' when TSHTF... I just look at them and observe that if their bug-out plan is that ad hoc and spur-of-the-moment, they will be among the earliests of casualties. And I've had people ask me if I will wait for them at the dock too... my response: "Only if you have first prepositioned with us what will be needed for your survival during the mission and have a skill to contribute to the effort. Otherwise any attempts to board will be met with the same resistance reserved for hostiles at sea.

    This is NOT a GAME.
  4. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    ""most boats (and to a lesser extent - People) are still very dependent on land-based infrastructure and services which are likely to become quite scarce.""

    Yep, Don't help them anymore. Like puppys they will harder to deal with later.

    So, We are talking a near Water World survival plan here after all. I wish we could of come to this level earlier. Thought I had asked.

    Don't get upset, I am on your side and agree. I thought you were trying to keep this on a lower lever than;
    AND I agree; We have hills, a swamp and ocean to withdraw to. "A country boy will survive".
  5. Sea-Sovereign

    Sea-Sovereign New Member

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    Sorry about that. You DID ask -- at first too... guess the point went right by me but I never thought of "Water World" as anything more serious than a horrible Kevin Costner - Jean Tripplehorn movie with no redeeming message or value... maybe I should subject myself to a re-showing of it.... I even misread your other point about running out of places to exploit.

    True That. The good news is that most landlubbers just look at me funny if I even bring up the water option.


    Naw. My bad. I'm not upset at all.... No worries. :) From the start your first comment kinda communicated that you understood. We don't say a lot about this stuff sometimes, and with good reason.
  6. rhinotub

    rhinotub Member

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    Newsflash, MacGyver, all human life is supported by land-based infrastructures.

    All of it.

    No it wasn't.

    You say a lot about this stuff, all the time.
  7. Laurence

    Laurence Senior Member

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    Well Said!

    "A country boy will survive".
  8. vwDavid

    vwDavid New Member

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    I am not a prepper, but my mind does like to think that way sometimes. I like reading these types of scenarios, perhaps just to see what others are thinking and what the responses are.

    I also posted this link to the OP, but thought that some lurking readers might also appreciate it. I am NOT out to convert anyone to prepper, or -un-convert prepper. But I personally refer to this article once in awhile to make sure I am not getting carried away in things.

    Someone else might appreciate it.

    charles hugh smith-The Art of Survival, Taoism and the Warring States

    The Art of Survival, Taoism and the Warring States
    This week's theme: Survival + (June 27, 2008)
  9. Belle

    Belle Member

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    Wow.....This thread sort of leaves me speechless.

    I'm trying to write this in a non critical way. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and worries and even obsessions if they turn into that. But please don't spend too much of what can be a wonderful life dwelling on what if it all suddenly goes to heck. (Using euphemisms here). I've read and my hubby knew stories from his father of those in the 60's who just knew the third world was was going to hit and were ready to hit their bomb shelters they built. To me just one problem is if everyone else is gone or the entire world is gone to pot, it's not going to be very good for anyone. There are only losers in that scenario, no winners.

    So, I choose to worry a little but mostly live in the present with hope for the future. I don't know what it holds. But if it holds good I'll be prepared to take advantage. If it's bad, I'll be in the same boat (figuratively) as everyone else. However, if you base too much of your thoughts on it being bad, it will be bad for you even if it could have been good.

    So now if I have to have a plan:

    Shelter underground. My hubby and myself...maybe a few select girlfriends. Grow lights and seeds to grow our own foods plus a supply of that packaged survivor stuff and water to last for years. Then a huge huge huge huge huge huge comfy bed. And we will enjoy that bed. I mean nothing else to do. So sleep.....and......you know what.....lots of it.....constant....nothing else to do so that's how we're going out.....

    I'm not mocking any of you, just saying I prefer to have a different attitude toward the future. And reminding that people have always felt "the sky is falling" starting with Chicken Little. One day they may be right. But all those times they were wrong they agonized over what wasn't coming.

    Everyone enjoy today. Tomorrow will come.....well....tomorrow. But make the most of each moment. Live life as if it was your last day, because it might be. Life is precious, we don't know how much we have ahead. We just can't waste it. Treat your loved ones, your family, your friends, as if today is the last time you'll see them. Spend time with those you love. Ok, going to do as I just said. Hope my hubby is ready for me.....hehe.....and cheer up all.
  10. Sea-Sovereign

    Sea-Sovereign New Member

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    @vwDavid -- Thanks for the link. Charles Smith is one of my favorite colleagues in our alternative-media world. He's a thinker and not prone to the craziness of the latest fads and wild-hare ideas... <wanna bet that line appears in a quote box in the next response we see from @rhinotub? (grin) >

    Smith makes two key points in his post. First, isolation is a lot harder to achieve than most people realize when it comes to 'bug-out' survival. “Remote” location is a relative term and I suspect this applies to boats as well as remote wooded areas. But, it's Smith's second point which is even more compelling and significant -- that undertaking a survival or 'bug-out' strategy as a lone wolf is a low-percentage strategy which is very unlikely to improve your odds of coming out on the other side alive and in one piece. Especially in 'foreign' locations. There is a better option. Humans are a communal species and do best in the company of others. What's more fun on a long cruise to a remote place far far away than to meet new friends and fellow intrepid sea-folks with a similar take on life?

    While I made a comment about hostiles in the previous post, the ultimate desire is to make connections with like-minded people. No one wants to live in defensive paranoia. Caution and vigilance have their place, but at some point, you want to surround yourself with friendlies. This is what most successful ex-pats do when they arrive in their new digs... so, in Smith's story, as the flatlander, I would create the opportunity to spend time in his remote location ahead of any bug-out urgency and meet the kids and get to know them. WhereEVER we are, our basic nature prevails:

    As Smith observes:

    "Because the best protection isn't owning 30 guns; it's having 30 people who care about you. Since those 30 have other people who care about them, you actually have 300 people who are looking out for each other, including you. The second best protection isn't a big stash of stuff others want to steal; it's sharing what you have and owning little of value. That's being flexible, and common, the very opposite of creating a big fat highly visible, high-value target and trying to defend it yourself in a remote setting. "

    A boat in almost any place in a grid-down scenario will unavoidably be a highly visible target of opportunity. And that IS something to think about. Deal-breaker? Not sure...

    * * *

    @Belle, I very much understand and appreciate where you are coming from. Believe it or not, I enjoy a very lovely and happy life. Prepping doesn't 'live' for me like some grim obsession or back in the days in the early '60's when I was one of those kids who endured the drills of getting under our desks twice a week at school. Instead, it's more an expression of the desire to be independent and capable of dealing with life as it deals the cards. I think most of us in the marine world understand the nature of that independent and self-reliant spirit. We get the importance of being properly prepared and outfitted when we go to sea. So, when we do go out, it's a bit like going back to our element.

    As to your view that, if it all goes to pot, it won't be very good for anyone, there may be an element of truth to that. I, however, am very much an optimist. As @rhinotub observed in response to one of my earlier posts talking about bad outcomes: “it's business as usual, it's human beings living their lives...” He's right that life will most likely go on for many. I think we WILL get through whatever may come, IF it comes at all. Short of all-out nuclear WWIII, darkness won't likely descend upon the land (and sea) and certainly not forever... but, if there is a period of dislocation to be “gotten through” that could be rough, I think that I, at least, want to do what I can to give myself and others the best chance of surviving it. The trick is to build flexibility into one's future if and when those rough times come. That's really what preparing is all about. Because, when push comes to shove, I bet that you, like me, will do anything and everything you can to make the odds the best they can be for your loved ones. :)

    Again, is a marine solution a viable option here? Again, Not sure... That's what this inquiry is about. I have an undergound tube prepared, but I'm not sure how long I'd last in there before I went completely looney! <Ok rhino, there's another softball for ya!! Bring It, my friend! LOL!>
  11. rhinotub

    rhinotub Member

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    Unlike my patience for myopia and hamster wheel illogicitis, your paranoia seems to know no bounds. Good luck with the bugs.
  12. 993RSR

    993RSR Senior Member

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    I have one question.
    If this financial meltdown occurs will my Palm Harbor gate card still work? If so I will stay right in Palm Beach.
  13. Laurence

    Laurence Senior Member

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    Be Prepared

    So then Rhinotub, you live like there is no tomorrow? Whatever happens, happens? Many good people (such as Mormons) think it is a good idea to have reserves saved up for hard times. (too bad our current government doesn't encourage this). I, for one, like to follow the Boy Scout motto "Be Prepared".
  14. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    The one question I'd like answered in this Global Meltdown is this:

    Where, with a Global Economy, mostly linked to and driven by the US Dollar, are you going to run to?

    Simple question.
  15. vwDavid

    vwDavid New Member

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    Maybe to BIOT?
  16. Sea-Sovereign

    Sea-Sovereign New Member

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    A good question. However, being out of dollars and in gold and silver should provide exceptional flexibility in that area. These metals have had universal, worldwide appeal for, in gold's case, over 6,000 years. And, yes, I DO know about what is happening to precious metals pricing today (in excruciating detail) and more importantly, precisely WHY it is happening. In fact, it's watching this that adds credibility to the concerns many of us have about the future.

    One impression I do have is that, in some of these more remote places in the world, the 'natives' are a lot less affected by and concerned about the machinations of the world economy and the vicissitudes of the financial turbulence that come and go as a result of the machinations of Wall Street, the City of London. and Paris.
  17. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Gold and silver have no useful purpose for anything of any need in life. They've been made to be valuable with propaganda just like diamonds. Copper, lead, and other metals have a lot more bartering power because they're actually needed by a lot of people for a lot of things in everyday life from batteries, to plumbing, to tools, to bullets to hunt with, and more.
  18. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    The likely scenario when run out to it's predictable result the answer would be ammunition. Weapons. Eventually.
  19. vwDavid

    vwDavid New Member

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    Hahahahha

    Thought you were looking for a remote yachting destination to run to!!
  20. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I agree. You can hunt for your food, protect your possessions, or even take whatever you want from another weaker and unprotected person. Look at how the Somali Pirates take $50 million dollar ships, with a $3,000 fishing skiff 1/1000th the size and a handful of ak 47's and maybe an RPG or two......well that is until a real Navy decided to do something about it.
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