After extensive research, and the advice here on the forum, I've come to some conclusions regarding practicality and legality of firearms at sea. I share them for your consideration, maybe they will help others in the future. Note that I am not expert on all these subjects, and borrow the findings of others as I see fit.
The decision to have firearms when sailing internationally is a personal decision. Traveling without firearms simplifies the process, no doubt. It leaves one dependent on ones wits, luck, and in a worst-case scenario, skill in melee or unarmed combat. I'm bringing a machete, a kukri, a hatchet, a hunting knife, a club for bashing fish heads in, and I know I can create a lot of havoc with these (legal) tools. I will say that the decision to travel with weapons should only be made by those with the proper skills and judgement.
Far better than relying on combat skills and equipment, one should rely on sailing skills and equipment. Use radio, radar etc. to maintain situational awareness at all times. Maintain contact with your fellow cruisers, travel in convoy as much as possible. Speed is a good defense, and while sailboats are limited in this regard, skill in sailing and motorsailing provides more safety than anything else. While the thought of criminals attacking at sea is most disturbing, the reality is that attacks are very rare and far more sailors meet sad fates through poor seamanship and unseaworthy equipment.
It is important to be legally beyond reproach. Know the local laws; no illegal activities, no illegal drugs, no illegal weapons etc.. While we do not agree with some laws, they do exist for a reason. Obeying the law makes life easier for all parties involved. The reality is that (common) agents of governments, theirs and ours, pose a more serious risk to sailors' liberty and pursuit of happiness than do (rare) pirates. Reminds me of the old Chinese curse; may you come to the attention of those in power. Keep ones head down and obey the laws of the land.
Do not underestimate the importance of demeanor and appearance. By world standards, anyone who can spare the time and money to pleasure cruise is rich. Don't look like you have way more money than sense. Learn a little of the local language. Be pleasant and respectful with people until they show they deserve otherwise. Boats are approached by fishermen asking for a drink of water. I'll keep some 2-liter bottles of water with a little air and brightly colored floats around just in case. That way I can share by just throwing the bottle overboard, not exposing myself overmuch. Some people have reported getting great deals on very fresh seafood by showing a little basic human kindness. Word travels, and people are more comfortable doing bad things to bad people. Will righteous behavior prevent all troubles? No, but a good defense consists of layers, and this is one.
Pay attention to security at all times. Do not leave valuables unsecured on deck, pull the dinghy and secure it well using stout chain. It does require more attention and work, it might cut into pleasure time. On that note, avoid drinking excessively, or overpartaking in any other vices permitted where you are. Install security bars or grates in hatches used for ventilation, always lock doors/companionways. The appearance of vigilance is a great deterrent. If not traveling alone, always have someone awake/alert/aware of the surroundings. When moored, some people do "put out the tacks", literally or otherwise. Should the person on security note anyone approaching, illuminate them with a powerful light. Deterrence is the goal. Loud alarms and flashing lights will be safer for you, in terms of both deterring criminals and dealing with government agents afterwards.
IF one chooses to travel with firearms, their use should be a last resort. In daylight, in international waters, if feeling as though one is being pursued, let them see (not brandishing) that you are armed. Change course repeatedly to see if they continue an intercept. Should this fail, a legally armed U.S. ship may fire a "shot across the bow"; firing yet ensuring you do not hit the vessel in question. The wisdom of this has been debated many times, but some cite it as the legal standard. Please note that under old maritime law, after a vessel shot across the bow of another, the second vessel was to raise their flags, and reply with a shot of their own. I have no idea if this still happens (it seems unlikely) but if you should hear a single gunshot after yours, don't automatically think that "It's on!". Should the vessel not break contact, one may then assume their intentions are hostile.
Up until the use of force is required, it is a very good idea to video record what is going on; U.S. laws give much more leeway in situations of self-defense, but the laws do apply. In international waters, for U.S. flagged ships, I think it very unlikely that reasonable actions of self-defense will result in significant legal difficulties, especially if you have video evidence. In foreign waters, the course is less clear... Video evidence will be greatly helpful, but still, foreign courts do some strange stuff. After using deadly force in self-defense, one may want to claim it was in international waters if possible. One may consider getting out of those foreign waters as soon as possible, and hope for the best, but that is a personal decision. I stand by my earlier statement that being beyond reproach legally is a great defense. If batteries and budget permits, I'm installing a video surveillance system on my boat.
Pump smoothbore shotguns are acceptable equipment onboard in much of the world. Note that shot, slugs, flares and line-throwing blanks are generally legal, flechettes and some sabots may be considered armor-piercing and cause issues. Dragonsbreath is a no-go, I'm sure there are other specialty shells that will cause legal issues. Rifles are most functional if planning to hunt foreign lands, and will involve additional legal hassles and limitations relative to the pump smoothbore shotgun. Anything semiauto, military, or with armor-piercing ammo increases the likelihood of legal issues. Handguns are unwelcome in much of the world, especially concealed, and only as functional as the shotgun below decks in confined quarters. If the practices above are followed, there will be no intruders below deck. Whatever your choice, a safe is required equipment.
After long consideration, as a small craft cruising internationally, I've concluded it makes limited sense from a legal or practical standpoint for me to carry anything besides a pump smoothbore shotgun with an assortment of legal shells.
With that said; anyone traveling with a firearm onboard should be very well trained in its use. In my opinion this is another point in favor of only using pump smoothbore shotguns; easier to train with only one weapon, and shotguns (debatably) require less training to use effectively than rifles and handguns. I wonder how the wife will handle a 12 gauge? We have some range time coming up...
The Remington 870 Magnum Mariner is a fine gun no doubt, but I like the feed ramp (price tag, bayonet lugs...) a little better on the Mossberg 590 Mariner. Add tac light, ghost ring, sidesaddle, call it good.
Thanks for the advice! This really helped me get my thoughts in order, I hope it helps (or at least amuses) others too.
The decision to have firearms when sailing internationally is a personal decision. Traveling without firearms simplifies the process, no doubt. It leaves one dependent on ones wits, luck, and in a worst-case scenario, skill in melee or unarmed combat. I'm bringing a machete, a kukri, a hatchet, a hunting knife, a club for bashing fish heads in, and I know I can create a lot of havoc with these (legal) tools. I will say that the decision to travel with weapons should only be made by those with the proper skills and judgement.
Far better than relying on combat skills and equipment, one should rely on sailing skills and equipment. Use radio, radar etc. to maintain situational awareness at all times. Maintain contact with your fellow cruisers, travel in convoy as much as possible. Speed is a good defense, and while sailboats are limited in this regard, skill in sailing and motorsailing provides more safety than anything else. While the thought of criminals attacking at sea is most disturbing, the reality is that attacks are very rare and far more sailors meet sad fates through poor seamanship and unseaworthy equipment.
It is important to be legally beyond reproach. Know the local laws; no illegal activities, no illegal drugs, no illegal weapons etc.. While we do not agree with some laws, they do exist for a reason. Obeying the law makes life easier for all parties involved. The reality is that (common) agents of governments, theirs and ours, pose a more serious risk to sailors' liberty and pursuit of happiness than do (rare) pirates. Reminds me of the old Chinese curse; may you come to the attention of those in power. Keep ones head down and obey the laws of the land.
Do not underestimate the importance of demeanor and appearance. By world standards, anyone who can spare the time and money to pleasure cruise is rich. Don't look like you have way more money than sense. Learn a little of the local language. Be pleasant and respectful with people until they show they deserve otherwise. Boats are approached by fishermen asking for a drink of water. I'll keep some 2-liter bottles of water with a little air and brightly colored floats around just in case. That way I can share by just throwing the bottle overboard, not exposing myself overmuch. Some people have reported getting great deals on very fresh seafood by showing a little basic human kindness. Word travels, and people are more comfortable doing bad things to bad people. Will righteous behavior prevent all troubles? No, but a good defense consists of layers, and this is one.
Pay attention to security at all times. Do not leave valuables unsecured on deck, pull the dinghy and secure it well using stout chain. It does require more attention and work, it might cut into pleasure time. On that note, avoid drinking excessively, or overpartaking in any other vices permitted where you are. Install security bars or grates in hatches used for ventilation, always lock doors/companionways. The appearance of vigilance is a great deterrent. If not traveling alone, always have someone awake/alert/aware of the surroundings. When moored, some people do "put out the tacks", literally or otherwise. Should the person on security note anyone approaching, illuminate them with a powerful light. Deterrence is the goal. Loud alarms and flashing lights will be safer for you, in terms of both deterring criminals and dealing with government agents afterwards.
IF one chooses to travel with firearms, their use should be a last resort. In daylight, in international waters, if feeling as though one is being pursued, let them see (not brandishing) that you are armed. Change course repeatedly to see if they continue an intercept. Should this fail, a legally armed U.S. ship may fire a "shot across the bow"; firing yet ensuring you do not hit the vessel in question. The wisdom of this has been debated many times, but some cite it as the legal standard. Please note that under old maritime law, after a vessel shot across the bow of another, the second vessel was to raise their flags, and reply with a shot of their own. I have no idea if this still happens (it seems unlikely) but if you should hear a single gunshot after yours, don't automatically think that "It's on!". Should the vessel not break contact, one may then assume their intentions are hostile.
Up until the use of force is required, it is a very good idea to video record what is going on; U.S. laws give much more leeway in situations of self-defense, but the laws do apply. In international waters, for U.S. flagged ships, I think it very unlikely that reasonable actions of self-defense will result in significant legal difficulties, especially if you have video evidence. In foreign waters, the course is less clear... Video evidence will be greatly helpful, but still, foreign courts do some strange stuff. After using deadly force in self-defense, one may want to claim it was in international waters if possible. One may consider getting out of those foreign waters as soon as possible, and hope for the best, but that is a personal decision. I stand by my earlier statement that being beyond reproach legally is a great defense. If batteries and budget permits, I'm installing a video surveillance system on my boat.
Pump smoothbore shotguns are acceptable equipment onboard in much of the world. Note that shot, slugs, flares and line-throwing blanks are generally legal, flechettes and some sabots may be considered armor-piercing and cause issues. Dragonsbreath is a no-go, I'm sure there are other specialty shells that will cause legal issues. Rifles are most functional if planning to hunt foreign lands, and will involve additional legal hassles and limitations relative to the pump smoothbore shotgun. Anything semiauto, military, or with armor-piercing ammo increases the likelihood of legal issues. Handguns are unwelcome in much of the world, especially concealed, and only as functional as the shotgun below decks in confined quarters. If the practices above are followed, there will be no intruders below deck. Whatever your choice, a safe is required equipment.
After long consideration, as a small craft cruising internationally, I've concluded it makes limited sense from a legal or practical standpoint for me to carry anything besides a pump smoothbore shotgun with an assortment of legal shells.
With that said; anyone traveling with a firearm onboard should be very well trained in its use. In my opinion this is another point in favor of only using pump smoothbore shotguns; easier to train with only one weapon, and shotguns (debatably) require less training to use effectively than rifles and handguns. I wonder how the wife will handle a 12 gauge? We have some range time coming up...
The Remington 870 Magnum Mariner is a fine gun no doubt, but I like the feed ramp (price tag, bayonet lugs...) a little better on the Mossberg 590 Mariner. Add tac light, ghost ring, sidesaddle, call it good.
Thanks for the advice! This really helped me get my thoughts in order, I hope it helps (or at least amuses) others too.
Pretty sure that would take the fight out of just about anybody. If you can, get a barrel that has removable chokes. Full is what you want for defense.
