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Legal weapons on a yacht?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by FL-NATIVE, Jul 20, 2016.

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  1. FL-NATIVE

    FL-NATIVE Member

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    Will soon be traveling from Florida to Panama via the east coast of Central America. Of course I have concerns about piracy and want to be prepared. Other than "legal" weapons such as flare guns and pole spears, does anyone have any recommendations as to what else to add to our arsenal that would not need to be declared or may be confiscated if found? Vessel is a motor yacht capable of 22 knots if needed but only for a short period of time due to a limited fuel range, especially during the leg from Roatan to San Andres.
  2. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    First, the area you're traveling in is not one known for privacy or other problems. In fact, it's a wonderful area to travel. The Bocas del Toro area of Panama is an incredible place.

    Now talking about legal weapons. There are three other options. One is smoke, one is sound, and I think the best is light.

    On Carlisle and Finch's website you can click on their brochure and get some excellent information.

    http://carlislefinch.com/Anti-Piracy-Products
  3. Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    I agree with OB. But you could probably get away with a Taser too. Most customs declarations ask about fire arms.
  4. P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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    Just curious, what about flair gun(s)?
    courtesy-totallytop10_com_.gif
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2016
  5. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Add water cannons to the list.
  6. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    We once cruised the Gulf of Paria, Venezuela. A well know hotspot for armed pirates.

    We took the ultimate defence with us, my girlfriend's mother! She had a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp and the social disposition of an angry honeybadger.

    No one came near us for two weeks. :confused::eek::D

  7. Loren Schweizer

    Loren Schweizer YF Associate Writer

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    Knives?
    A crossbow?
    A six bajillion candlepower searchlight?
    A platoon of honey badgers?
    Slingshots & cherry bombs?
    Wasp spray?
    Drone with megawatt laser?
  8. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The best would be a large caliber air rifle. Since it is an air rifle it is not considered a fire arm. You can get them in big bore calibers such as .50 and at 850 FPS and they're relatively quiet and accurate out to 2-300 yards and just as deadly as a real rifle. A customer of mine has an air rifle that shoots capsules with tear gas and stuff to. Google both and you'll find what you're looking for.
  9. FL-NATIVE

    FL-NATIVE Member

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    Thank you. My main reason for concern was an attempted piracy a few months back. The boat was able to easily outrun the slow pirate vessel. All good to hear that the area is mostly safe,
  10. FL-NATIVE

    FL-NATIVE Member

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    Thanks Ken. I do have a flashlight/stun baton combo so far.
  11. FL-NATIVE

    FL-NATIVE Member

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    Great video, thanks.
  12. FL-NATIVE

    FL-NATIVE Member

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    FUNNY!!!!
  13. FL-NATIVE

    FL-NATIVE Member

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    Great, thanks.
  14. Caltexflanc

    Caltexflanc Senior Member

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    Would like some details on where and when the "attempted piracy" took place. A lot of US boats make that run and I am not aware of any that had issues so would like to hear some specifics if there have been.
  15. FL-NATIVE

    FL-NATIVE Member

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    I am glad you asked, you pushed me to search some more for the report and I found it. See attached.
    Brief details: A 60' steel fishing vessel tried to ram and board the 70' motor yacht "Golden Eagle" north of Providencia. They were able to outrun them going full speed at 14 knots. Happened on Jan 27, 2016 off the east coast of Nicaragua.
  16. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I researched a bit as I hadn't heard of any. Here's what I found. February 2015, an armed robbery off Honduras reported but third hand and March, 2015 a sailboat hit by pirates off Honduras. This one was reported first hand and confirmed. Otherwise some robberies of anchored boats but no other pirate activity I could find.

    Here is the report from March 2015. http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/H...tes-en-route-from-belize-to-roatan-march-2015

    Still not an area of major pirate activity.

    Not piracy, but most recently, there was an armed boarding of an anchored boat overnight in Middle Long Cay, Belize, in January of this year.

    No area is immune but this isn't a high piracy area. By comparison there was in January of this year an armed boarding in the US Virgin Islands 1.5 miles off the coast of St. Croix and that one included a shooting of the captain, serious, although not critical.

    There is risk most places, but there are a few high risk areas, just not in the area being discussed to my knowledge. We need to be careful hearing stories vs actually researching.
  17. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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  18. 101TUG

    101TUG Senior Member

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