Self Defense

[Skater]

I'll be cruising to the Bahamas soon and have arrived to the point of "Should I consider a weapon for self defense?"
I haven't heard much mention of crime on the community bulletin board. Someone told me the only pirates left were in the boatyards. But I think he was making a joke. Anybody got any input on this subject?

[dp]

You can carry a weapon aboard, but you need to declare it when entering the country. My advice is....if you know how to use it, take it. I haven't heard any sad stories lately, but you never know. (And, you wouldn't hear about it on this board, even if it happened). :(

[Alan Brown]

Before I started cruising in 1999 I bought a 12 ga. marine-grade shotgun for the boat. However, after reading a great deal on the pros and cons on the SSCA website, I decided to leave it back home in my storage locker. I have not regretted this decision whatsoever. Here's why.

While docked longterm in Nassau, my boat was broken into several times. The first couple break-in's occurred at the old Easy Bay Marina, which boasted 24-hr. security. The last break-in happened in June 2004 at the Bayside Marina, where I was replacing a broken prop strut. They also boasted 24-hr. security and the guards even wore uniforms! The thieves stole whatever they pleased, even my pots and pans. Any weapons on board would also have been stolen and I would have a big mess with the Bahamaian authorities to deal with. Also, my shotgun could have been used to hurt some innocent person.

For personal safety, I decided to rely on my 12 ga. flare gun. It's a perfectly legal and common piece of marine safety equipment. Anyone wishing to go up against something as deadly as this is probably crazy and I will not hesitate to protect myself aboard my boat from "crazy" people or anyone else who intends to harm me and mine.

With these thoughts in mind, I encourage you leave your firearms back home. The Bahamas are a safe place to visit, even Nassau if you take precautions. Ultimately, firearms will cause you more trouble than they're worth.

[big deal]

Unfortunately, crime DOES exist in Abaco. Just this week I had a watch stolen from my boat at Conch Inn in MH, while I was asleep with the door unlocked(my son and friends were still out).
Don't count on the Bahamians for much in the way of protection. Proceed at your own risk. As for me, I'll be prepared for whatever develops.

[Sublime]

Weapons are not necessary in the Bahamas. Nassau, maybe, but your flare gun is the best solution for repelling boarders IF deadly force is warranted. By the way, deadly force is NOT an acceptable way to protect your belongings or your property, that's what insurance is for. The only violent crimes I've heard of were committed among people who knew each other - family or "business". The only confrontational problems I've ever had were with "ugly Americans". Ignorant and rude, they can be horrible ambassadors for their country as they treat our beautiful islands like their own personal playground. Sure, I'd like to shoot 'em, but instead I've learned to walk softly and carry a big stick (literally, it's a 3' section of a hickory shovel handle). So, leave your gun at home and bring your respect - you'll be fine.

[PELLUCID]

I've sailed to far more dangerous places than the Bahamas and I've never carried any weapons aboard. So far as I can tell from the stories I have heard, carrying a weapon INCREASES your chances of being injured in a confrontation. If this is counter-intuitive to you, then you need to do a better job of putting yourself of putting yourself in the criminal's shoes.

The Bahamas, in particular, are one of the least dangerous areas for cruising. Follow some common-sense rules and stay out of trouble:

1. Avoid anything that even remotely seems like a drug-running or smuggling operation.
2. Don't flash money or jewelry or talk about all the cool electronics you have back on your boat
3. Hang out at tourist bars, not local dives. If you MUST see the native scene, go with a local whom you know and trust.
4. Hoist your dinghy on davits at night. Or, lift the stern out of the water with a tackle.

#1 is rare these days. #2 & #3 are obvious. #4 makes it difficult and noisy for your dinghy to be stolen.

That's about it! Come on over, relax, and don't worry about your "stuff" while you're here.