Can Solo Women Cruisers Feel Safe?

[windsaloft]

I'd like to start out this thread by saying that I've had a great behind the scenes conversation with Alan Wheeler, and via him with the moderators of this board. In that light, I would sincerely ask that responses to this post address NON FIREARM and most probably NON WEAPON approaches to the query. I am not asking about, nor do I want to debate the use of such --- I am interested in solutions that add a sense of deterrence and safety for women traveling solo or in a small group of other women --- but utilize a means that doesn't involve the risks or hassles of firearm possession in jurisdictions where that could get you in hot water. So, again --- PLEASE don't take this thread into the firearm/weapon territory.

Let me preface this by also saying that there is a lot to be said for good situational awareness, good common sense, smart choices, and also believing that most folks out there in this big world are great, beautiful wonderful people who are our allies as women. I'm not paranoid and I generally don't think people are out to get me by any means. By the same token, I and my partner have each done extensive international travel, and despite those things, have had a couple of truly frightening events that make us more attuned to the reality of risks of women traveling and achoring alone or in pairs aboard a slow sailboat.

So -- all this prefacing --- let me start with my question:

What are ways that we as women boaters can add a bit of extra security to our situation when making passages or anchoring in remote areas with 1-3 women aboard? I *know* these answers and solutions apply to couples and men as well, but as women, I think we are more attuned to these risks, esp, in other countries without a man around to deter folks with malintent who might note this.....so, please feel free to chime in regardless of gender or crew makeup.

- Alarm systems of sorts? Dogs that bark, things balanced about the boat that topple if someone comes aboard?
- Being from cattle country in Wyoming, I try to imagine how I could rig up the solar powered electric livestock fence charger and use it to make my lifelines give the same nasty bite as the horse fencing back home....

What are your solutions and ideas?