Hi all, from Indianapolis, Indiana

[CariGO]

New to the forum. I am anxious to become a valued contributor.

I don't have the means to enjoy the sea as of yet, but it is in the works to someday become a reality.

I recall the days I did spent at sea, back when I was in the Navy.
I've been all through the Caribbean, around South America, across the Atlantic, into the Mediterranean Sea and into the Indian Ocean.
I was able to visit many ports during my enlistment.
When I retire, I plan on living in Trinidad and traveling about the Caribbean.

I was researching travel in the Caribbean when I happened across a thread about firearms and the laws for various ports. I see that is a touchy subject around here, but most certainly a strong interest of mine.

[Aderby810]

Welcome the the community. I'm also a new member. I struggled with the firearm issues as well while traveling. I was given good advice which was to not bring a firearm and bad advice which was to hide shells in my ballast. I fell somewhere in the middle. I ended up keeping a 12G in my cabin that never left its location and a side arm as a BUG. Each time I declared the arms and was told they couldn't leave the boat. My experience was the Bahamas, T&C, and & P.

Given the rise in incidents of boats being boarded from 2011 to 2013, I felt more comfortable having them onboard than not.

That said, they're a risk and tend to only bring trouble if not handled by knowledgable, well trained handlers. If you do bring some, don't let them be the expensive kind. Also, keep an inventory of ammunition and accessories.

[biker6977]

Welcome CariGO- I used to live in IN, my oldest and my grandchildren still live on a farm in Washington IN- between Terre Haute and Evansville.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, CariGO.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Thanks for your service. A lot of here got our first taste of the sea by having served in the Navy.
Firearms is a touchy subject because in nearly all foreign ports they are illegal to have aboard and need to be turned in when visiting a port. My experience was that I would sail with one when legal and without one when not legal. I've been close enough to a Mexican jail to know I don't want to be in one.
Aderby has good advice.