2015 Bahamas gun check-in update

[iancoombe]

Originally Posted by PortClydeMe

I don't have any real life experience, and thus no answer for you. However, I highly doubt that the "authorities" will rip through any boat with a fine tooth comb looking for illegal objects. Be those drugs or weapons. Hence, I'm not worried about secreting weapons on my vessel. They will be secreted correctly. Even if searched, they will not be found. In homes, gun lockers (safes) are to keep firearms out of the hands of children in the family. On a vessel sailed by a husband and wife with no children on board, there is no need. And, no need to sail around to various countries "declaring" my weapons in each port. To each his/her own.

You like prison food ? Asian jails have alot of people in them who knew the perfect hiding place.

[Boatlegs]

Marsh Harbor is a little down the Abaco's, past a few other check in's. Did that have anything to do with the "hold"? Folks just need to dow what they are comfy with and be law abiding no mater where they are. Guests in other countries.

[PortClydeMe]

Originally Posted by Boatlegs

"secretly" carry? How are you going to secretly carry if you need to use it for real life security? My thought is plan accordingly and for myself, just not bother to visit where they don't allow, turn it over if law requies a hold. Just plain ole be a guest where you are and abide by the law. If you need to go where not allowed, don't bring. Guess I sound like a rookie, but it's sure better than locked up and journey over. Am I missing something? I plan to disclose and I have no problem with cruisers that carry actually to prefer to be achored next to one who is aware.

Somali pirates, and similar nice folk, work their magic far offshore, far away from authorities. If you and I ever meet at anchor, I will respond "No" when asked if I sail with firearms, as we and the ladies sip French Gran Cru wine topside enjoying the nice sunset. The wine's on me. Would you prefer smooth jazz, or something a little more lively?

[smj]

Originally Posted by PortClydeMe

Somali pirates, and similar nice folk, work their magic far offshore, far away from authorities. If you and I ever meet at anchor, I will respond "No" when asked if I sail with firearms, as we and the ladies sip French Gran Cru wine topside enjoying the nice sunset. The wine's on me. Would you prefer smooth jazz, or something a little more lively?

Somalia? I get it now, you're out to hunt down the Pirates and show them who's boss.

[Boatguy30]

Really don't want to get into this but AJ, your pm box is full.

Had dinner with a cop and a redneck the other night in Rock Sound. Both carried guns on their person in the US but neither have guns on board.

there's a reason you go cruising. Also it illegal to discharge any rounds in the Bahamas, so what's the point?

[PortClydeMe]

Originally Posted by smj

Somalia? I get it now, you're out to hunt down the Pirates and show them who's boss.

This is my final post in this thread. NOTE: A loud cheering sound.

When my wife and I sail the super safe high seas, I refuse to be caught with my pants down and pray to some mythical god that the bad people will be kind and show heartfelt mercy and compassion. Fight fire with fire, not prayers. Hopefully, such situations will never arise. If they do, I'm an excellent shot, both close-quarters and at 200 yards.

Everyone please continue. I'll continue to read and chuckle from afar.

Ps; for those following me around, I'm now out of the Mexico thread also. Please continue to have at it.

"La Cucaracha!"

[Jon Eisberg]

Originally Posted by PortClydeMe

This is my final post in this thread. NOTE: A loud cheering sound.

When my wife and I sail the super safe high seas, I refuse to be caught with my pants down and pray to some mythical god that the bad people will be kind and show heartfelt mercy and compassion. Fight fire with fire, not prayers. Hopefully, such situations will never arise. If they do, I'm an excellent shot, both close-quarters and at 200 yards.

Everyone please continue. I'll continue to read and chuckle from afar.

Too bad you're bowing out of this thread... Otherwise, you could provide us will all those numerous examples of Milk Run Circumnavigators who have warded off pirate attacks on the high seas with firearms...

Being as they're so commonplace, and all...

Here, I'll even help you get started... This one's from almost a decade ago...

http://www.cruisingworld.com/destina...tacked-pirates

Although, even back then, sailing the Gulf of Aden was pretty well known to be dangerously tempting fate... And if sailing to Cuba doesn't appeal to you, I'm guessing Yemen as a destination is not likely to, either...

[downunder]

Originally Posted by keepondancin

Doesn't the Bahamas not allow spearguns, only slings and pole spears. T&C doesn't allow spearguns for the same reason, over fishing, shooting anything that swims. Each of those countries have their water resources as the largest resource for income, so no fish, no divers, etc. Understandable, I have even see people spear turtles.

I don't doubt spearguns are prohibited in some areas. Spearfishing whilst freediving (not with SCUBA) is not easy nor simple, needs specialised skills and can be highly selective rather than with line fishing.

More akin to hunting with a bow rather than a high powered gun and scope.

cheers

[iancoombe]

Originally Posted by PortClydeMe

What on earth does that mean? You should maybe back off your nightly consumption of Scotch. It keeps the neurons from firing correctly, and hence your silly post.

Wow, this thread is becoming more bizarre, yet also a tad more fun, by the day. Reminds me of the Mexico thread.

Ahh personal attack how cerebral of you.
As you didn't understand I will simplify, the authorities (they are the ones with uniforms and are allowed to carry firearms) somtimes find things the you may have hidden really really well, then you get taken to a lockup my guess is you know what that is, and the food there is not really nice,

[napadiver]

Originally Posted by iancoombe

Ahh personal attack how cerebral of you.
As you didn't understand I will simplify, the authorities (they are the ones with uniforms and are allowed to carry firearms) somtimes find things the you may have hidden really really well, then you get taken to a lockup my guess is you know what that is, and the food there is not really nice,

Ian,
With all due respect, this is exactly why I'm asking the question:
Have YOU ever had YOUR boat searched for firearms?
If so, what did they do?
And what was the declared reason for the search?

You see, I have been a uniformed authority with a gun for over 30 years and have searched hundreds (maybe thousands) of persons, houses and vehicles and even a few boats. In MY experience, authorities search for a reason, and if the reason is compelling enough, the searching can be quite thorough...however, without suspicion or other compelling purpose, authorities have better things to do than tear apart random personal property.
I suspect that the same is true with marine authorities (customs, coast guard, etc) but I'd like to hear from people who have actually been searched as I believe that what is being discussed is simply hearsay and speculation of what "could" happen.

Regards,

[iancoombe]

Originally Posted by napadiver

Ian,
With all due respect, this is exactly why I'm asking the question:
Have YOU ever had YOUR boat searched for firearms?
If so, what did they do?
And what was the declared reason for the search?

You see, I have been a uniformed authority with a gun for over 30 years and have searched hundreds (maybe thousands) of persons, houses and vehicles and even a few boats. In MY experience, authorities search for a reason, and if the reason is compelling enough, the searching can be quite thorough...however, without suspicion or other compelling purpose, authorities have better things to do than tear apart random personal property.
I suspect that the same is true with marine authorities (customs, coast guard, etc) but I'd like to hear from people who have actually been searched as I believe that what is being discussed is simply hearsay and speculation of what "could" happen.

Regards,

Yes we were searched in Borneo but it was a quick look and due to language difficulties I don't know the reason perhaps just because its an oil and gas port if we had firearms hidden they would not have been found. But this local of ours got himself in a lot of trouble ended up costing more than 1000000.00 to avoid 20yrs albiet 10yrs ago, and by memory I think he was held for a year.
SAVE A LIFE - Foreign Prisoners Support Service
Another one closer to you and more recent
Guns found on yacht | Bahamas Local News.
Seems to happen quite alot in langkawi
Weapons, hundreds of bullets found on sailboat in Langkawi| Coconuts Kuala Lumpur
Just saying you should declare them,
Cheers

[Dulcesuenos]

I read that in 2011 Bahamas amended their firearms laws, saying all gun must be turned in when clearing in and picked up upon clearing out,, did this change? Here is the amendment. http://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/wcm/co...df?MOD=AJPERES


Sent from my LG-LS980 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Jon Eisberg]

Originally Posted by napadiver

Ian,
With all due respect, this is exactly why I'm asking the question:
Have YOU ever had YOUR boat searched for firearms?
If so, what did they do?
And what was the declared reason for the search?

You see, I have been a uniformed authority with a gun for over 30 years and have searched hundreds (maybe thousands) of persons, houses and vehicles and even a few boats. In MY experience, authorities search for a reason, and if the reason is compelling enough, the searching can be quite thorough...however, without suspicion or other compelling purpose, authorities have better things to do than tear apart random personal property.
I suspect that the same is true with marine authorities (customs, coast guard, etc) but I'd like to hear from people who have actually been searched as I believe that what is being discussed is simply hearsay and speculation of what "could" happen.

Regards,

By far the most rigorous inspection I've ever endured was the first time I cleared into Cuba at Marina Hemingway near Havana. The entire process took almost 2 hours, I've never had so many different officers come aboard, and the inspection of boat, and personal items, was incredibly thorough. They went through pretty much every nook and cranny they could access, even asking me to open my access ports to water tanks, for instance... A lot of this was no doubt due to a simple curiosity, their desire to handle electronic gadgets like computers that many Cubans simply rarely get to see... The medical officer's inspection of my tiny medicine cabinet in the head was absurdly thorough, and he turned out to be the one who asked for a 'gift' in consideration for his services... And of course a sniffer dog was brought aboard, whether it was trained specifically for firearms I have no idea, but again they encouraged him to poke his nose in pretty much everywhere...

When I returned again to Havana a few weeks later, they seemed to remember who I was, and fortunately the procedure was a bit smoother... They still brought the dog aboard to do his thing again, however... After returning to the States, I returned again about a month later, but clearing in that time in Varadero... That one was the easiest of all, they just came out to the boat for a very cursory look, I believe only one officer even came set foot onboard for just a quick look, and all of the formalities were handled in the Port Captain's office at the marina...

I would say only one other place in my experience had an inspection that was nearly as rigorous, and that was Isla Mujeres, Mexico... I was bringing a Valiant 42 back north from the Rio Dulce, and perhaps since the last country we had cleared out of was Guatemala, they went through the boat pretty closely, although no sniffer dog was brought aboard... As always, however, these procedures can vary widely. A couple of years prior when clearing in aboard my own boat, everything was handled onshore, they never even looked at the boat...

I'll freely admit, I really hate dealing with the formalities of clearing in and out, and a big part of my personal decision not to carry a firearm aboard has to do with the simple minimization of the process... One of the reasons sailing to Canada is such a pleasure, all of my check-ins there have never required anything more than a 10 minute phone call to the CANPASS 800 number...

Not to mention, you've gotta love a place where the Gun-totin' Mamas are dressed in pajamas... :-)

[SniperSailor]

Originally Posted by Jon Eisberg

Thanks, but I don't do Photoshop... Sometimes, there's no point in trying to improve upon The Real Thing... :-)

Jon, thanks for the photos. Cuba has always facinated me for its beauty as well as being an admirer of Castro (the man, not politician. Regardless of his politics hes outlasted 11 presidents. Id enjoy hearing of your trips there, and any other photos you'd care to post. Thanks

[Robin3]

Originally Posted by SniperSailor

Jon, thanks for the photos. Cuba has always facinated me for its beauty as well as being an admirer of Castro (the man, not politician. Regardless of his politics hes outlasted 11 presidents. Id enjoy hearing of your trips there, and any other photos you'd care to post. Thanks

Got an excellent health service too, others take note!