Avoiding being a victim of pirates and thieves while cruising/voyaging

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Sailing4Jesus

What about a big sign that reads
STAND CHEAR BLACK PLAUGE ABOARD
However, most pirates cannot read.

And, some cruisers can't spell.

[Scorpius]

Originally Posted by Sailing4Jesus

What about a big sign that reads

STAND CHEAR BLACK PLAUGE ABOARD

However, most pirates cannot read.

Certainly not English.

[Thumbs Up]

Originally Posted by Palarran

IMO, and not a lot of offense meant, but asking about pirates is a pretty novice question. There simply statistically isn't any. Period.

There are pirates. Period.

[Icarus]

Old mate Slocum placed metal tacks on the deck when he was in the Strait of Magellan, just don't forget they are there when you scramble on deck for nature call.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Sailing4Jesus

What about a big sign that reads

STAND CHEAR BLACK PLAUGE ABOARD

However, most pirates cannot read.

And you know this how?

Ah, of course, Jesus told you so.

[taxwizz]

Originally Posted by Sailing4Jesus

What about a big sign that reads

STAND CHEAR BLACK PLAUGE ABOARD

However, most pirates cannot read.

Now it's CHINESE Plague

[taxwizz]

Originally Posted by Icarus

Old mate Slocum placed metal tacks on the deck when he was in the Strait of Magellan, just don't forget they are there when you scramble on deck for nature call.

Simple solution.......
Pee in the sink.

[nofacey]

1) prep your boat
- get a SS chain long enough to secure your dinghy motor to the dinghy hull, then extend out to a dock and/or a strong point on your hull. Lock your dinghy up every time your leave it at a dock, and every night. Your dinghy motor represents significant wealth in many areas of the world - you’re dangling $$ in front of very poor people if it’s not secured.
- put grates on your ventilation hatches and the main cabin entrance that are lockable from the inside. You need them at night in many areas (Carribean, Columbia, Madagadcar ++) to keep sneak thieves from robbing you while you sleep with everything open, because it’s bloody hot. They’re after mobile electronics, wallets, etc.
- know how to go silent....including AIS....when required. As an aside, More and more countries require that you have AIS for entry.

2) Know the area risks
- go online, great reservoir of knowledge at your finger tips. Start with Noonsite, find the piracy maps, and regional websites that report theft hotspots.
- link up with the OCC = Ocean Cruising Club. Terrific network for cruising info, Port Captains are amazing.
- Facebook groups for each cruising area are usually very up to date on activities, easy to find once you are in the circuit, OCC contacts useful here too.

Personally I didn’t worry too much in the Pacific, avoided Somalia by going under Africa, went silent off Venezuela, picked my landing ports in Columbia, and stayed away from violent theft hotspots in the Carribbean (they were few & easy to go around) - those were the big threats.
- found I needed grates Indian Ocean & thru Caribbean
- dinghy was cut free of boat twice....chain is the answer.

Being aware is 90% of the solution.

[matt.blak]

Great thread, I feel much better, piracy does happen, but way less than it is thought. Reasonable precautions reduce your risk & help you make new local friends.