Crossing & Cruising with Protection

[Henz]

Jsut curious as to whether or not those of you who cross and cruise the Bahamas have some sort of personal protection on board? (weapon) and if you do what happens when you have to be cleared for customs???

[DrRalph]

We definitely DO NOT carry a weapon. The regs are as follows:

"If you have a firearm on board, you must declare it with Customs. You must provide the serial number and manufacturer, plus an exact count of ammunition. Though you are allowed to have a firearm on your boat, you cannot take it off the boat unless you obtain a permit from the Bahamian police ahead of time. Weapons must be under lock and key at all times. Any infraction of this law is dealt with severely."

[Henz]

well, those seem to be fair enough..I am sure that 99.9% of the time you dont need to worry but if I were ever to make the crossing I can guraentee you that I would have protection.

[capran]

well, maybe this will stir things up, but, really, what is the point? We have cruised extensively over the course of 13 summers, for a total of 34 months of Island time, from the Exumas, Berry Islands, Eleuthera, Bimini, and, of course, the Abacos. We have never felt the need for a weapon. But I sure got nervous around Miami and there was a sign just outside of the gate by the Marina on the East side of the ICW by West Palm warning folks not to go out at night. But again, that's just my opinion based on some experience.

[Henz]

I agree..I didnt mean that once in the Bahamas was the problem..I would agree that off the coast of Florida would probably be worse..

[panachecon]

In my opinion there really is no sense in debating this point. Those who prefer to have a firearm in their home/car/belt will want to have one on their boat. Those who don't, won't. There is nothing inherantly dangerous about Florida/Bahamaian waters that should compel a person who would normally be unarmed to feel the need for a gun, talk of "pirates" nonwithstanding. jim

[SOLAR]

I have been mugged and robbed several times in the Caribbean but not the Bahamas yet. I do not carry a weapon or gun on my boat. For those of you who carry a weapon and try to use it will have the weapon used on them and if they are sucsessfull in warding off or killing your the aggressor you will be placed in jail and there is a good chance you will not come out alive. Do not carry or bring a gun into the Bahamas it can be a VERY dangerous place for the naive. There was a time I would have had my throat slit if I had fought back with a weapon.

[georgepburdell]

Note to self-" Don't go on buddy boat voyage with SOLAR"

[mermaid rocks]

Don't you think a flare gun would work as a personal protection device?

[R]

Put a flare in their cockpit and I bet you can get them to abandon ship.
R.

[HALF-A-HAMIAN]

Can only speculate, but there's a certain missing boater that may have wished he had at least something. He was alone. I can guarantee I'd be going down fighting, especially with loved ones to protect. If allowed, it'll be on board and accessable while underway and easily lockable if approached by proper authorities. If you've properly cleared, and there is cause, JUST cause, to use, then theremay be lots of delays, paperwork, even cell time till things are worked out, but hey, I'd rather be alive in a cell than fish food. That said, It's Better in The Bahamas, and the main concern should only lie in the Stream. Just my tupence worth.