Can Solo Women Cruisers Feel Safe?

[Wotname]

Maybe have two dinks - so one can be left tied off the stern while you are ashore and when you are onboard, it looks like you have vistors.

As to the electric lifelines - just thinking deeper into this - not sure how to make it work as you need a return path. You could ground the system through the water but not sure how effective this will be if the bad guy isn't connected to the water. Would certainly work if they were standing in a wet(ish) wooden boat or Aly dink. Would be worth running the experiment, an electric fence energisier is not expensive.

[stevensc]

A loud air horn the, kind powered by compressed air in a can, may be used to draw attention, maybe scare someone away.
At night in the dark a strong photo flash in the face will blind an intruder for quite a while. Long enough to summon help, maybe with the air horn. There are some very powerful flash lights used by police I believe they are called Starlights which will temoprarily blind someone when shown at their eyes in the dark.
A loud dog, even a small one, can scare people away, or start the rumour you have a pet snake, scorpions, tarantula, etc. aboard many people are terrified of them.
Stay safe,
Steve

[Hud3]

Terri,

Well, there's a lot of stuff in these posts so far for you to pick and choose from. I'll throw in a few more.

Take steps to know where the potentially dangerous spots are, and avoid them. Make use of Internet sources like Noonsite & Caribbean Safety and Security Net, SSB nets that are operated at fixed times and freqs each day, local daily VHF radio nets in the more popular anchorages, newspapers like Caribbean Compass, and discussions with fellow cruisers. I'm using some Caribbean examples, but every region has it's own sources of info. Take anecdotal reports with a grain of salt--they may be somewhat embellished.

Get to know folks on nearby boats in your anchorage so that you can call on them in an emergency. There's always some kind of social activity going on to give you that opportunity.

Have a set of stainless steel tubes welded into a grid that can be locked in your companionway slots so you can have ventilation at night. A two-piece grid can be stored more easily. I have a photo if you're interested.

Buy a motion detector (they're inexpensive) for the cockpit that will wake you up if someone comes aboard, coupled with right deck lights and a siren that you can turn on from below. No intruder will stay around with all that going on.

Mace or pepper spray that emits a stream, not a fog. You might Mace yourself with the fogging kind if discharged down below.

It sounds silly to me, but I have heard of cruisers who have tape recordings of a viscous dog snarling and barking. Most native Caribbean islanders are very leary of barking dogs and stay clear of them.

Kanani raised the issue of cultures, which is very valid. People from other cultures will not always think as you do. You need to understand the local situation.

Having said all of the above, I've never implemented any of it, other than staying away from one particular "hot spot" on a single island here in the Caribbean. We've never had a single "threatening" event. Oh, I did buy a small cannister of pepper spray before we set out, but I'm not sure where I stowed it...never felt the need to have it nearby, so it's lost now.

By the way, where do you intend to do your cruising?

All the best,

[frankdeegan]

what about a flash bang as used by swat to dis orate the offenders.

[easterly]

The only bad thing about using spearguns out of the water is the over penetration. They will go through the intruder, through your boat and halfway through the boat next to you.

[GordMay]

Martial Arts Mythology
"There is a great deal of bullshit regarding hand-to-hand combat that is commonly believed to be true . . . even by a few respected instructors who really ought to know better. The majority of these myths involve "deadly karate moves" which allegedly enable a martial artist to kill a man with a single blow, and are passed from student to student like a virus being replicated. Due to the fact that the vast majority of martial artists have never been placed in a situation where it is permissible to actually implement such techniques, and also due to the fact that most martial artists have never studied human anatomy at the college level, it is understandable that people who ought to know better are ignorant of such things. Hollywood action films and imported kung-fu flicks perpetuate such legendary falsehoods. In this section, I shall attempt to debunk a few of the cherished fantasies of the dojo ballerinas..."

Goto:
New Page

righteouswarriortemple.org/New%20Folder/myths.htm

[anniecarole]

I was mugged in my driveway in Miami 25 years ago, and my husband and I were boarded by thieves in Venezuela 3 1/2 years ago. Stuff happens every where! Many cruisers I've talked with say "I never lock myself in." Well, they should give it some serious thought--whether they are female or male! Yes, perhaps Venezuela has more of a reputation for "pirates", but most people lock their doors at home when they go to bed. So figure a way to at least lock the companion way when you are in for the night. My husband installed a thin stainless steel wire across the middle of our other hatches. These allow room for us to get out in case of fire, etc., but they are obscured from outsiders' view by the center line of set in screens. Anyone trying to jump in would be very uncomfortable! When we were boarded, we were locked in, and the dinghy pulled out of the water and well locked. My husband fired a flare gun over the head of one of the boarders and turned on our siren. They left as quickly as they could. Additionally, we keep a large canister of pepper spray handy, but it wasn't needed. For a while after that, we put rocks in beer cans and tied them with monofilament line so they would be tripped by someone coming aboard. Now we mount a motion detector in the cockpit. I have read that oven cleaner spray is also very effective--especially when the nozzle has been adjusted so it sprays longer and farther. Now that I am a woman alone, I am cautious and careful, but refuse to allow fear to control my life.

[hellosailor]

Terri-
Dog? Quarantines. Unless you are staying in the US, your dog will be confiscated and quarantined at a really high cost. Something small and yappy can be thrown overboard or stomped by an intruder, something big enough to be a deterrent is going to need some dedicated attention and space. I wouldn't buy a dog as a defense system for a boat.

Cattle shocks? Uhuh. Aside from the electricity bleeding into things you don't want it to as salt spray conducts it around, your intruder would soon own your boat. Folks have used electric shock in the US many times over the years--and most of the time, the courts have said you can't zap an intruder, you might kill them. Again, heaven help you in a foreign court as well.

Nice ideas, but depending on who your intruders are and where you are...you may just piss 'em off and get 'em angry with that kind of stuff. You'd be better off taking some self-defense courses and learning martial arts if you don't want to carry arms of any kind.

The US Army Rangers have said that the finest weapon in the world is a Ranger--stripped naked and bare, he's still a weapon by himself. But even with that training, they still prefer to carry other ones. No weapons, no training, no skills? You may have to consider "love thy enemy" and not resisting. Sorry 'bout that. Hollywood aside, that philosophy just doesn't work too well in our world but I wish you luck with it.

[Alan Wheeler]

Hi Terri. I hope you don't mind me saying this. But seeing as you have been through a couple of ordeals yourself, could you answer how you now view it in Hind sight. Was there anything that you could have perhaps done differently that may have helped. Like, if you had Martial Arts experiance, do you think you could have got out of the situation??
As for my thoughts on options, Self defence courses would be a good start. They teach you not just the Martial Art part, but they also get into using what you have at hand to defend yourself. Like using your car keys for a weapon etc. And most importantly, it teaches you about being aware of your environment and of people. Well worth it.
On board, firstly, don't be afraid of letting off a flare. If you are threatend or boarded, a Parachute flare scares the hell out of everyone. Especially if you are at anchor. And as already said, loud Sirens and Horns along with a flashing strobe.
In regards to the electric fence Idea. You have to have an Earth and the live part. Earthing to the sea water will not work. Earthing to a Wet(salt water) mat at the door and the handle made as the live part will work. Don't earth to the Sea as you are putting high energy into the water that could find it's way to the other end of the connection and will cause Electrolysis. Not to mention the possibility of having the odd stunned mullet float to the surface :-)

[Kanani]

Martial Arts training would be good on several levels. It will increase your self-confidence and reduce your level of anxiety. That, in itself, will make you more secure because you will appear less vulnerable.

It has important health benefits because it will get you into a regular exercise routine.

Forget the "Electric fence" routine. You'd more than likely end up hurting yourself or friends. Besides, it would be a maintenance nightmare.

Enjoy cruising.....it's all about experiencing life, not fearing it

[Maren]

Originally Posted by Kanani

Martial Arts training would be good on several levels. It will increase your self-confidence and reduce your level of anxiety. That, in itself, will make you more secure because you will appear less vulnerable.

It has important health benefits because it will get you into a regular exercise routine.

Answer these (to yourself, to anyone else is optional):

How do you react under stress? Do you freeze, shake, yell, get sick, tear up, feel blood pounding in chest and head, loose your temper or stay calm?

How do you react under threat of physical violence? Do you try to apologize, bargain, reason or convince the person? Do you cower? Do you initiate an attack before it happens to you?

How do you react under when the person you are with is in the same situation? Do you say ‘let’s just go’ to your friend; bargain, reason or convince the other person? Do you try to mediate between the two? Or do you pay minimal attention and look to see what else is happening?

How do you react under actual physical conflict? Do you tear up, try to guard what is hurting, flee call for help. Do you flail or have aimed responses?

How aware are you, in everyday life, of the details that go on around you? Are you the sort of person who says: “that’s the third time we’ve seen that …” or are you usually unaware as you have been totally focused on whatever.

How much do you stick out or blend in where you go? Do you really even know? Do you have a pattern?

How approachable are you in general?

If you see a group of teen age males walking down the sidewalk towards you, what you do? Are you the sort who will cross the street, try to duck into a building, walk past them without eye contact, walk past and look up/down/away, smile and say hi, or stare one of them down as you walk past?

From my experience, people have different reactions but an individual’s reactions are usually quite consistent and these stress reactions are tough if not impossible to change. You can drill in a reaction, that’s a lot of self defense, but you can’t drill in what a person will do prior to. I had a female friend of play paintball with me, she like it even though she got bruised. Another guy friend of mine was like Barney Fife at D-day.

Depending on your stress reactions, you take different preventive reactions. For some the solution will be lock up for the evening and go to sleep. For others the solution will be to have someone or something protect them. For others it will be a team effort. For some it will be don’t go. I suspect the last one you can rule out else you wouldn’t even ask as you would have said to yourself how you could never do that.

As for martial arts, it can help somewhat. But it rarely does it fix what needs fixing. Rent the first season of UFC – before there were weight classes, gloves and hot girls walking bikinis telling you what round it was. You had ‘trained’ fighters. All were good or better in their field. You still saw people drop their guard, try and run, and curl up in the fetal position while the other guy literally beat them unconscious. The other I noticed about martial artists is they get the ‘gunslinger’ mentality. They say it only for defense and don’t look for fights but too many times they overestimate their abilities. Besides you may be good with one guy, what about two… or more? As for exercise, you would be better served using swimming or sprinting … much more exercise and more useful, too.

In any case, traveling in a group is smart – safety in numbers. Sorry there wasn’t a whole lot of specifics but the #1 factor is you.

[Boracay]

In Australia at the moment we have a problem with what the media have been calling "Alcohol fueled violence".

It has been caused (according to the opposition groups) by too much relaxation of the laws on the serving and taxation of alcohol.

My suggestion is to plan how you will manage alcohol.

Possibly limit the amount that you carry on board, avoid bars, nightclubs and parties where alcohol is cheap, consider the implication of any social activity late at night and on weekends and watch out for signs of binge drinking in anyone that you might have continuing contact with.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by Maren

How do you react under threat of physical violence? Do you try to apologize, bargain, reason or convince the person? Do you cower? Do you initiate an attack before it happens to you.

Interesting post. Particularly that under times of stress one has an ingrained reaction.

Reminds me of a few instances in Thailand where now and again Western fellas get into a spot of trouble, and a major contributor to excalating matters is being quite used to being able to physically and verbally intimidate or actually use violence in their own world and as a result get into way deep doodoo , by not appreciating that they were not on home turf, did not know the rules, did not have genuine backup, could easily and quickly be outnumbered, that violence utilised is not always the same as at home - and can be wayyyy more violent, that incidents are not always over at the time and IMO most importantly not understanding that physical shape / age / gender does not directly equate to the violence that could be unleashed...........or arranged.........especially a problem in an environment where you can get on for quite a long time acting like you are at home, without actually understanding that it's working for different reasons than back home.

The above is largely without any "cultural differences", just from being away from home in a strange environment, in the 3rd world.

Of course, the best defence against trouble wherever in the world is (IME) a black belt in..........not being a complete f#cking idiot (took me a while to qualify )......and add a large dollop of common sense......."the Way of the Warrior" is not an easy road to travel

[windsaloft]

Let's see --- it's late, and I will try to be succinct. First-off, good thoughts and ideas thus far, and I appreciate it. A few things I hadn't thought of included the blinding light ("surefires" are one brand) and just keeping a parachute flare nearby. And the airhorn. Like I said --- I have traveled a ton internationally by land, as well as by sea kayak and by open dinghy, but not a ton coastally in a "yacht" I know from my experiences in Mexico and Central America on my little traveling open dinghy and my sea kayak that "yachties" are seen a bit differently than "derelict beach campers" (which is the category we fit in!). SO -- appreciate the input from this crowd.

Honestly, the situations that I've gotten into have been a combination of my not really believing that there was actually any threat, a complacency and comfort in my environment, and an unwillingness to believe that there was anyone who could possibly mean me any harm. I generally see the world that way. Thus --- would martial arts have made a difference? Well, in one case, the group had knives and it freaked me out so much that I kinda went ballistic and struggled quite hard --- and the ruckus attracted attention and eventually caused them to let me go and run away. I have no idea if martial arts would have made a difference, not being so trained, but being a little more willing to adopt a "defensive attitude" (like defensive driving) might well have prevented the scene from happening. This was in a middle eastern country, and I *do* know that the assailants had targeted and tracked me b/c of my gender and solitary status (b/c this got back via the grapevine).

The other situation involved a couple of individuals with sharpened tire irons who decided that two women surf kayaking and sleeping locked in their truck on a remote Mexican beach in a little "campground" (there were other individuals around and it was a designated camping area) needed to provide $$ and camping goods. They hung around for a few hours, trashed the truck and ensured it would not run, took all the valuables, and spent awhile "deciding" whether to make good on their threats. In the end, they left when they got most of what they wanted. What stopped this from becoming far, far worse was the ability to converse in spanish and become real people that they were interacting with vs. just faceless tourists. Martial arts? Perhaps or probably? I dunno. Seems that with knives or non-guns this could have some real benefit, and I definately think that some good hand to hand self defense training could certainly be great exercise and strength training, and probably couldn't hurt!

So --- hindsight, for me, is one of the reasons I am asking this question --- being aware that there are actually reasons to be attentive and aware of possibilities -- quite the opposite of being afraid -- being aware. If I wanted to avoid all risks, I'd not go cruising or even leave the country --- at the same time, I want to not repeat my mistakes of complacency and failing to anticipate that there could be problems --- and find ways to help deter my/our selection as good targets. I know that in both of these situations (and a handful of others from friends who are also independent traveling women) that we know that some situations develop b/c folks looking for targets will go for the perceived easier ones, often women. Add to that the perception that "yachties" are "rich", seems like it also adds a bit of incentive if folks are looking for easy cash, so.......just looking for good, deterrent ideas from folks who have been there and know more than me!

Thanks for reading.

[ssullivan]

Terri,

It sounds like you really knew the answer all along... I think you did.

It's situation awareness, cultural sensitivity and the psychology of predators.

I didn't think we had to go there, as I thought everyone had this stuff running through their minds when traveling. It sounds as though you may not have (reading your post below) in the past. Unfortunately, it sounds like you learned the hard way that you have to be more aware of your surroundings, never be in a position you can't escape from, and sniff out weirdos as you enjoy your travels.

I'm not good at judging people... that is... until I can tell they're crazy. There is something in the eye or mannerisms that starts sending off strong signals and warns me when someone is about to become crazy. I usually get out of the situation when I feel that.

Also, I probably would not have camped on that beach you camped on. I know it's travel adventure and fun, but to me... I'm too parinoid... ha ha I would have felt too insecure and would not have done it. It's too exposed to the general public and there isn't a great escape from it if cornered.

I hate to be quick to judge and put you in a category, but I have met many people with the same outlook you describe while traveling. The outlook that everything is great, everyone is harmless, the world is a wonderful place, etc... Now I am envious of this outlook - don't get me wrong. But, I have seen people get into trouble with this outlook because they don't always percieve a threat as it is developing. They don't get nervous when people start acting weird. They end up "going with the flow" while traveling and going with locals to any number of places from which there is no escape.
Now 99% of the time, it's fine... but that one or two times when someone has bad intentions... not worth the 99% IMO.

I mean you can see it like this:

The USA is a pretty unsafe place to be in a lot of ways. Wander around many cities in the middle of the night, drunk or something and you're going to end up in the same situation we are talking about. Do it in a foreign country and you may end up in that same situation. People are people everywhere you go... there are good and bad. They have different cultures, but there are good and bad everywhere.

Good security means doing things that keep you away from the bad people.

On the upside, a boat at anchor eliminates nearly the entire population from getting at you. You can't just walk up to a boat and rob it. You have to first get a boat yourself. That keeps a lot of would be theives away.

Originally Posted by windsaloft

Let's see --- it's late, and I will try to be succinct. First-off, good thoughts and ideas thus far, and I appreciate it. A few things I hadn't thought of included the blinding light ("surefires" are one brand) and just keeping a parachute flare nearby. And the airhorn. Like I said --- I have traveled a ton internationally by land, as well as by sea kayak and by open dinghy, but not a ton coastally in a "yacht" I know from my experiences in Mexico and Central America on my little traveling open dinghy and my sea kayak that "yachties" are seen a bit differently than "derelict beach campers" (which is the category we fit in!). SO -- appreciate the input from this crowd.

Honestly, the situations that I've gotten into have been a combination of my not really believing that there was actually any threat, a complacency and comfort in my environment, and an unwillingness to believe that there was anyone who could possibly mean me any harm. I generally see the world that way. Thus --- would martial arts have made a difference? Well, in one case, the group had knives and it freaked me out so much that I kinda went ballistic and struggled quite hard --- and the ruckus attracted attention and eventually caused them to let me go and run away. I have no idea if martial arts would have made a difference, not being so trained, but being a little more willing to adopt a "defensive attitude" (like defensive driving) might well have prevented the scene from happening. This was in a middle eastern country, and I *do* know that the assailants had targeted and tracked me b/c of my gender and solitary status (b/c this got back via the grapevine).

The other situation involved a couple of individuals with sharpened tire irons who decided that two women surf kayaking and sleeping locked in their truck on a remote Mexican beach in a little "campground" (there were other individuals around and it was a designated camping area) needed to provide $$ and camping goods. They hung around for a few hours, trashed the truck and ensured it would not run, took all the valuables, and spent awhile "deciding" whether to make good on their threats. In the end, they left when they got most of what they wanted. What stopped this from becoming far, far worse was the ability to converse in spanish and become real people that they were interacting with vs. just faceless tourists. Martial arts? Perhaps or probably? I dunno. Seems that with knives or non-guns this could have some real benefit, and I definately think that some good hand to hand self defense training could certainly be great exercise and strength training, and probably couldn't hurt!

So --- hindsight, for me, is one of the reasons I am asking this question --- being aware that there are actually reasons to be attentive and aware of possibilities -- quite the opposite of being afraid -- being aware. If I wanted to avoid all risks, I'd not go cruising or even leave the country --- at the same time, I want to not repeat my mistakes of complacency and failing to anticipate that there could be problems --- and find ways to help deter my/our selection as good targets. I know that in both of these situations (and a handful of others from friends who are also independent traveling women) that we know that some situations develop b/c folks looking for targets will go for the perceived easier ones, often women. Add to that the perception that "yachties" are "rich", seems like it also adds a bit of incentive if folks are looking for easy cash, so.......just looking for good, deterrent ideas from folks who have been there and know more than me!

Thanks for reading.