Standing Watch in High Crime Anchorage

[Saleen411]

Assume no great security system....no motion detector lights, alarms or weapons. Think basic charter boat.

You feel the need to stand watch for security reasons.....Would you stand watch with lights on and make your presence known?... OR, hide in the dark ready to pounce?

Have any of you stood watch before because you just happen to be in a known high crime area.

Sounds silly I know......but will be my reality in a few months.

[Tillsbury]

As many lights as possible. You don't ever want it to get to the stage of someone being on your boat if you can help it -- that is never likely to end well.

[Orion Jim]

Anchor elsewhere. Why risk your life.....whether real or imagined. What could possibly be the motivation to place your life at risk?

[Saleen411]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

Anchor elsewhere. Why risk your life.....whether real or imagined. What could possibly be the motivation to place your life at risk?

Sometimes one doesn't have a choice.

Unfortunately some cruisers have paid the ultimate price for anchoring in the wrong location due to wx or mx issues.

Interesting that it appears that few if any stand watch. Must be nice to always feel secure barricaded below in safe anchorages.

[boatman61]

Never been barricaded below.. anywhere.

[Franziska]

I'd put lights up. Any decent burglar prefers solitude and darkness to go about their business.
Especially if there are plenty other unlit targets around.

[Saleen411]

Originally Posted by Franziska

I'd put lights up. Any decent burglar prefers solitude and darkness to go about their business.
Especially if there are plenty other unlit targets around.

Yea...I was thinking being lit up is the way to go. Seeing how most boarders flee upon being detected.

Bad news is that if you are lit and visible, and the bad guys still decide to show up, their intentions would probably be very very bad.

[jmh2002]

Originally Posted by Saleen411

Assume no great security system....no motion detector lights, alarms or weapons. Think basic charter boat.

You could carry extra lighting with you to this charter boat, to be plugged in onboard temporarily, even if it's just something cheap that you find online.

Probably you can even find some type of all in one motion detector/light/alarm combo if you wish too.

[Franziska]

Well, the guys with the very very bad intentions would perhaps also show up when the lights are off.

Not really something that would prevent that except for wielding any sorts of gun. But, for example Sir Peter Blake got killed anyways.

But let's not turn this into the 500th unnecessary gun thread.

Originally Posted by Saleen411

Yea...I was thinking being lit up is the way to go. Seeing how most boarders flee upon being detected.

Bad news is that if you are lit and visible, and the bad guys still decide to show up, their intentions would probably be very very bad.

[barnakiel]

I would simply NOT be there. Why be where you know in advance criminality is that high ???


Otherwise, as much light as you have and make your presence known. Known trick from city police reports - most crime happens in dark, unlit areas.


Cheers,
b.

[Sailmonkey]

Of this is a charter boat.....that to me means your chartering on vacation. Why would you take a rented boat on vacation to an area of such high crime that it becomes necessary to maintain an anchor watch?

[Saleen411]

Originally Posted by jmh2002

You could carry extra lighting with you to this charter boat, to be plugged in onboard temporarily, even if it's just something cheap that you find online.

Probably you can even find some type of all in one motion detector/light/alarm combo if you wish too.

I was thinking the same thing......I believe I can get what I need at Home Depot before I go.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[Sojourner]

I agree with both... Light her up like Christmas and prominently take a round every twenty minutes like you mean it, spotlight and all. But also, find a better place to anchor cause that chit's tiring

[Saleen411]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

Of this is a charter boat.....that to me means your chartering on vacation. Why would you take a rented boat on vacation to an area of such high crime that it becomes necessary to maintain an anchor watch?

Because I'm basically a moron.

I will be chartering where many people avoid for security reasons. I wouldn't be going except for the fact that people safely sail and anchor where we're going everyday. The areas I wish to cruise may not be perfectly safe, but safe enough.

I only have one night I'm a bit concerned about...that would be the sail back to base from Salt Whistle Bay where we may have to anchor for the night in St Vincent.

I'm not trying to make a huge deal about this.....but I think it would be prudent to keep watch. Just like any other place I thought was a bit sketchy.

[Franziska]

May I suggest you get your dinghy and outboard way out of the water too.