Bow and arrow aboard? Do or dont?

[hafa]

Modern pirates often constitute the equivalent of an elite paramilitary force, replete with rocket-propelled grenades, 50 caliber automatic weapons and significant experience. Even experienced security personnel dedicated to the protection of commercial vessels deal with them accordingly. I'd suggest that you consider doing the same.

[Pieter]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

However, if you're really keen to be an archer/fighter, Google on Danish Master Archer, and just see what is possible for a fit young man to do with a bow and a handful of arrows!

Ann

Wonderful... for some reason this is what i had in mind i guess... Thanks for sharing..

[Tkeeth]

Originally Posted by rwidman

That's my plan as well.

and look poor (not far from reality)

[Pieter]

Originally Posted by hafa

Modern pirates often constitute the equivalent of an elite paramilitary force, replete with rocket-propelled grenades, 50 caliber automatic weapons and significant experience. Even experienced security personnel dedicated to the protection of commercial vessels deal with them accordingly. I'd suggest that you consider doing the same.

Fair enough... this then leads me to add this question: does this forum have any recent reports on how the situation is near Canal of Suez? I am not a great Noonsite fan, so i will also check for more on this..

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Tkeeth

and look poor (not far from reality)

In Somalia.. and other places White = Rich..

[Pieter]

duh.. yea that will be easy...

[hafa]

Originally Posted by Pieter

...any recent reports on how the situation is near Canal of Suez?..

ICC has live maps and reports:

https://www.icc-ccs.org

[Pieter]

Originally Posted by hafa

ICC has live maps and reports:

https://www.icc-ccs.org

thanks a lot..

[Pieter]

Originally Posted by Pieter

thanks a lot..

having checked this site info... attacks reported only on bulk carriers and container vessels... no report on sailing/small pleasure vessels....

[buzzstar]

To quote none of us, what is proper if you determine they are going to kill you, and you do not have a firearm, are unwilling to use the one you have, or figure they can hole your boat, but you cannot hole theirs. As part of my belief in Plan A, and for no other reason, and without any malice toward Plans, B, C, or X, I so not sail in downtown Detroit, anywhere near Chicago, and have never been forced to use a transocean/transsea canal. Likewise I do not and would ever publicly or unnecessarily disclose whether or not I am carrying anything in the weapons category. This does not apply to tools that might, in desperate circumstances be used as weapons.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Pieter

Fair enough... this then leads me to add this question: does this forum have any recent reports on how the situation is near Canal of Suez? I am not a great Noonsite fan, so i will also check for more on this..

Near was never a problem.. down the bottom end and further was.. believe its quieter these days

[Dave_S]

How real is the problem ?

Are there any statistics of private boats that are pirated or disappear in pirated waters world wide annually.

It would also be important to know of those pirated how many were left alive.

I suspect the numbers are very much lower than perception. It seems the worse the thought of something happening the more frequent we believe it happens.

[alctel]

Originally Posted by Tetra

Seems like there's a huge need for marine non-lethal defensive weapons. I'm surprised that there are some better alternatives for recreational/cruising crafts. Until then, it's probably bear spray.

Is there? I'd be interested to see the number of attacks on cruising vessels per year - I bet there are more people killed by lighting on the water than robbed by pirates

[Pieter]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

How real is the problem ?

Are there any statistics of private boats that are pirated or disappear in pirated waters world wide annually.

It would also be important to know of those pirated how many were left alive.

I suspect the numbers are very much lower than perception. It seems the worse the thought of something happening the more frequent we believe it happens.

good point...thanks

[s/v Jedi]

There were three boats attacked by pirates in the past month off Honduras. I bet many more around Venezuela.

Bow & arrow, even crossbows as well as axes, tomahawks, machetes etc. are allowed in almost every country, but a shotgun is allowed almost as often and a much better tool. Countries like Mexico and the USA are impossible or difficult but I didn't encounter any other country that objected to it. Even when customs is supposed to take it for the duration of your stay, my experience is that they let you keep it aboard when you come over well to the officer.

The posts that say that you will die when you resist are false. The only case I know where armed resistance lead to being killed was when the gun malfunctioned, i.e. not maintained (Blake). There are countless cases recorded where being armed saved the crew and boat, often after just firing a single warning shot.

I recommend that you read the book "Pirates aboard!" which describes many cases, as well as the best method of defense.