Defending your boat (pirates, angry mobs of fisherman etc)

[GreenHeaven]

The world is becoming increasingly violent and attacks on boats more common. Just last year a friend told a story of someone he knew disappearing in the red sea area. Even in Med countries, fishermen, locals can take great offence and try to board you.

I read a post of long time member who described ways to defend his boat during the somali pirate days, but didnt specify how. He has gone. website up, but email not working. I think his name was John? he has stories on his website, one of a boat being attacked and a giant container ship helping but I cant find it now

I would love to hear some practical defense strategies. Firearms are illegal in most countries, but I suspect some carry anyway because when seconds count, help is only hours away!

I would also like to discus no lethal options if there are any.

This is a serious problem and it deserves to be discussed in the same way life saving equipment and safety equipment. imo laws regulating firearms are designed for land based populaces for obvious reasons. The ocean is utterly different.

[Franziska]

I'm sorry, but let's ignore this thread. It's been discussed a thousand times and will be just a repercussion and stress for the moderators.

If you want, just use the search function in the forum, and you have endless hours of reading material.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Franziska

I'm sorry, but let's ignore this thread. It's been discussed a thousand times and will be just a repercussion and stress for the moderators.

If you want, just use the search function in the forum, and you have endless hours of reading material.

Have to agree, all I would add to the OP is that cruising is perhaps not for you.

[Mike OReilly]

Your premise is flawed; the world is not more dangerous today. And your solution has been well discussed. Most actual world cruisers find guns to be useless and bothersome tools.

[sailorboy1]

only pirates I have come across are ashore selling stuff and I nonlethal walk away

[Ded reckoner]

I think one thing that has changed the dynamic for the better is Starlink. With high bandwidth, it is possible to quickly uplink photos and videos of anyone approaching your boat or threatening you. A May Day call on VHF radio not only sends out your distress call but informs perpetrators you are aware and requesting help. If you have uploaded video, this would be a good thing to broadcast. HF radio has a lot longer range for real time contact in emergencies than VHF. DSC is a very long range distress communication, but response times are hours or even days. Other prudent measures include staying well informed. If possible, make passages in flotillas. There's that "safety in numbers" thing. Choose the best time of day for passages. If you're on anchor, do your business and be out and about in the daytime. Stay well clear of known or suspected areas of concern (e.g. sail north of the ABC's, not south of them). There are innumerable things you can do to provide non-lethal security for your boat (e.g. locks, cameras, etc).


Firearms are problematic. Most countries are hostile to cruisers carrying firearms. Many require these be turned over and stored with them, which, of course, disarms you. Some countries will confiscate your boat if you are caught hiding firearms.

If you are boarded, and you are at a disadvantage (such as with a street mugging), give them what they want. Placating perpetrators might turn their wrath and violence away from you and your crew.

[PNWSalmon]

Angry mobs of fishermen ????

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by GreenHeaven

This is a serious problem and it deserves to be discussed in the same way life saving equipment and safety equipment.

Um, no it doesn't. If you're sailing your boat in known trouble spots... don't.

Wanna protect your boat? Really good fenders.

[Turtle Blues]

angry mobs of fisherman etc)
Is this a result of intentionally sailing through crowded fishing grounds?

[gthompson]

Originally Posted by GreenHeaven

The world is becoming increasingly violent and attacks on boats more common. Just last year a friend told a story of someone he knew disappearing in the red sea area. Even in Med countries, fishermen, locals can take great offence and try to board you...

Do you have any facts to support this? I would really appreciate seeing how you came to these conclusions.

[SailingHarmonie]

Originally Posted by gthompson

Do you have any facts to support this? I would really appreciate seeing how you came to these conclusions.

Fox News says so.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by PNWSalmon

Angry mobs of fishermen ????

Yes, there is a recent story from an investigative journalist revealing how the captain and crew of a Taiwanese fishing vessel murdered crews of other fishing vessels in the South China Sea. We’re talking about head shots until all are dead and making selfies while in the act.
Only after the story came out (they found out who did it) was the captain arrested. I’m sure you can find it on YouTube or something.

For the OP: discussing this normally is impossible on this forum. Luckily there is a very good book: Pirates Aboard!: Forty Cases of Piracy Today and What Bluewater Cruisers Can Do About It
https://www.amazon.com/Pirates-Aboar.../dp/1574091654

[PNWSalmon]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Yes, there is a recent story from an investigative journalist revealing how the captain and crew of a Taiwanese fishing vessel murdered crews of other fishing vessels in the South China Sea. We’re talking about head shots until all are dead and making selfies while in the act.
Only after the story came out (they found out who did it) was the captain arrested. I’m sure you can find it on YouTube or something.

For the OP: discussing this normally is impossible on this forum. Luckily there is a very good book: Pirates Aboard!: Forty Cases of Piracy Today and What Bluewater Cruisers Can Do About It
https://www.amazon.com/Pirates-Aboar.../dp/1574091654

How is that relevant to cruising sailboats ?

[s/v Jedi]

Found the story: https://www.theoutlawocean.com/repor...-a-conviction/

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by PNWSalmon

How is that relevant to cruising sailboats ?

You questioned “angry mobs of fishermen”. I showed them to you, now, instead of admitting they are there and killing, you move and counter ask. Doesn’t work for me.