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1oldbuzzard · 08-09-2015, 14:45

I have been troubled by dogs on shore while riding my bicycle in several parts of the caribbean. Once ended up in a hospital.

Since, i carry a can of yardguard bug spray on the bike and have a can handy on the boat. Good for 25 ft. It will stop a pack of dogs cold at the first breath. I have never used it on a human yet, but"..... I suspect that it can cause a lot of discomfort. If it stops dogs it should slow a human, at least.

And its not illegal

I also carry a paintball gun. Never used it on a person yet outside orgainsed gaming but i have been hit many times and it really hurts, some are auto fire and if you hit someone with a hundred rounds in the face i guarantee it will do the trick.

I have a few anti personell memores from 'Nam that are cheap and easy too but cant talk about them here?

I wish everyone happy and safe cruising.

Sandero · 08-09-2015, 15:05

Sure... they are marinas and boat yards!

WildWill · 08-09-2015, 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by GordMay

This problem is getting worse and the pirate attacks are getting deadly. One could only expect that the Yemen Government will take more direct action. At the very least, allow yachts to group in Salalah, Oman and at some point on the NW Yemen coast to request an escort along the Yemen coast."

Rodney J. Nowlin, USN Retired
[b]S/V Mahdi
March 11, 2005

That's actually a great idea. If you don't ask, the answer's always no - so it would be worth contacting the UAE/Omani or maybe US Navy. If they're in the area, it gives them something to do.

I'm quite sure a family friend is a captain in the Omani navy. I'll try to find the contact. They're one of the friendliest populations of people, so they'll try to help you out- at least with a contact. So I'd say it was worth stopping somewhere you see navy ships or police, and ask to discuss with the colonel ("Aqeed" in arabic, and they like this word, especially if they're not aqeed!). You'll probably get somewhere, or at the least a cultural experience!

This is for the hardheads who do decide to sail this route, and live their lives fully despite a risk.

ASD · 09-09-2015, 11:27

Interesting thread. I have a question(s). Why place yourself, crew and boat in danger in the first place?

If an area has known to be subjected to piracy, why would you go? Not to long ago there was a cruiser couple from Seattle who were killed off the coast of Somalia. Sad, but I blame the captain for putting his vessel in known danger. Just don't go. Find a place that is safe, common sense?

My wife and I would love to go to Egypt, but it just isn't safe and we may never go. I am a coastal cruiser and don't have the range to go to the Med or SE Asia. But if getting there you have to cross piracy areas, why would you go?

WildWill · 09-09-2015, 11:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASD

Interesting thread. I have a question(s). Why place yourself, crew and boat in danger in the first place?
...

I think most people listen to the media hype and base their decisions off that. Each to their own, but the media craves bad news and this attitude is the killer of amazing experiences. The only way to know is to go - and as it turns out, the world is much nicer than its shown on TV...

I hitchhiked through Iran back in 2012 during the media frenzy about them. I felt so welcomed and totally safe. Honestly one of the best countries on Earth. I didn't use my tent once - I was always invited in. The polar opposite of what the media would portray of the country.

Regarding Egypt, since when was that a no-go-zone? Their politics is amongst themselves, tourists are unlikely to feel anything different to usual. People getting on with their lives...
For example, in Iran a man on the street said to me "Your government is our enemy - we don't like your government, but our people love your people".

Surely the biggest risk in life is living it half-cocked. This is how most people seem to do it. We have one life and an amazing world full of awesome people. Weigh up the risks, and go live something incredible. After all - a ship is safe in harbour...!

ASD · 09-09-2015, 12:43

I see it as: If you want to play by the rocks with your boat, sooner or later you will hit those rocks.

Yes there are some great adventures out there, but is it worth your life or the lives of your crew to play around the rocks from an unsafe distance?

I too have been to some of these places and a lot of them are not nice places.......