If you're going to cruise with firearms, follow the rules (example)

[Whitebread117]

I'm not going to debate whether one should or shouldn't have firearms aboard- that's a personal choice. If you choose to, make sure you follow the rules to the letter.

This is a good example of why skirting the rules isn't a wise idea, and the Bahamas is fairly lenient compared to a lot of other countries. We watched this unfold from a distance Saturday (link to story on Royal Bahamas Defence Force Facebook page with photos):
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...25848767451024

[Whitebread117]

BTW, the vessel name was S/V Scarlet Lady out of FL, if anyone knows her.

[Paul L]

Terminally stupid.

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by Whitebread117

...and the Bahamas is fairly lenient compared to a lot of other countries.

This is what makes it REALLY amazingly stupid! The rules in the Bahamas are perfectly clear, and pretty easy to follow. Still, there are always going to be a few out there who (mistakenly!) think they are smarter than the cops, or think they are above the law.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Whitebread117

BTW, the vessel name was S/V Scarlet Lady out of FL, if anyone knows her.

Vessel documentation web site shows the owner is James D Coleman.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

This is what makes it REALLY amazingly stupid! The rules in the Bahamas are perfectly clear, and pretty easy to follow. Still, there are always going to be a few out there who (mistakenly!) think they are smarter than the cops, or think they are above the law.

Not to mention it makes things worse for those of us that follow.

What an idiot.

[sailorboy1]

Since they didn't have an AR-15 on the boat but had a magnetize I wonder where it went?

What's the point of declaring 1 gun and hiding the others?

[Captain Bill]

As one comment put it, AR15 magazine and 20 rounds of .223? Where was the AR15? It's not like the BDF gives you a problem if you properly declare your weapons upon entry. If he bothered to declare one, why not all? Maybe the undeclared weapons were owned by his passenger and he was not informed about them. I wonder if we'll ever hear the captains side of the story.

[Whitebread117]

I met a couple today that are( i guess were now) buddy boating with the boat that got busted and I received some additional info from them.

There were 3 firearms onboard, but he only declared one of the three (the ar-15 I think). Also, the initial stop appeared more routine until they noticed the undeclared cats on board, then the search got more thorough.

Their passports are being held, and they have until this Thursday to pay the $10,000 fine. The captain is retired police officer of some sort, all weapons were his, and he's been coming here for years.

Fwiw the buddy boat was boarded first and documents checked, the officer stating that not flying a courtesy flag prompted the boarding (thought they might not have cleared in).

[arbanais]

bloody cats!

[Jason Flare]

The Royal Bahamas Defense Force Facebook post didn't mention the cats.

What happens to the cats?

[Matt Johnson]

I like the comment:

"need to stop cruisers from flying drones"



Matt

[rubbywilliams]

Not good enough for cruisers!

[PortClydeMe]

Well, we all know that stupid is as stupid does.

Thus, and without knowing any details about the lack of cleverness of those currently in custody, I'll continue to take it as a great challenge, and a splendidly glorious game, to cleverly hide my firearms so well that they will never be found by "boarding" authorities and that I continue to keep myself and my loved ones safe wherever we decide to sail.

Where there's a will, there's a way. Always has been true, and will continue to be so, forever.

Thanks to the OP for the "scare". Cough, cough.

[Stumble]

Originally Posted by PortClydeMe

Well, we all know that stupid is as stupid does.

Thus, and without knowing any details about the lack of cleverness of those currently in custody, I'll continue to take it as a great challenge, and a splendidly glorious game, to cleverly hide my firearms so well that they will never be found by "boarding" authorities and that I continue to keep myself and my loved ones safe wherever we decide to sail.

Where there's a will, there's a way. Always has been true, and will continue to be so, forever.

Thanks to the OP for the "scare". Cough, cough.

Nothing like risking 7 years in jail for illegal firearm posession, and relying on how well hidden they are instead. It isn't like customs agents are trained to spot well concealed hidden compartments in the search for illegal goods so you should be fine.