Can You Take A Gun Sailing Around The World?

In international waters, the laws of the flagged nation apply, meaning that if you are in a U.S.-flagged vessel, you can carry firearms in accordance with U.S. law. If you are in a U.K.-flagged vessel, you can carry firearms in accordance with U.K. law. Many (declared, with non-resident permit and with firearm and ammo properly stored) long guns are okay to bring into Canadian waters AFAIUI, but self-defense is not a valid reason to have it.

In most countries, you must check in firearms on entry and have them held ashore in a safe. Shotguns are sometimes allowed to remain on a vessel flying the American flag in international waters. The most notable argument against carrying weapons is that it is difficult and cumbersome to determine. However, since guns are considered ships equipment, they can usually be declared while doing your circumnavigation.

Sailing around the world requires a route, a bluewater sailboat, enough money, time, the necessary paperwork, and equipment such as a water maker, electricity generator, satellite phone, and power. These rules mean that you won’t have access to the gun when you might need it and that you need to exit from the same port that you entered. This inhibits your freedom of movement in the country and just adds.

Every country you visit on your cruise will be less tolerant of guns than the USA. All will require you to declare them upon entry, and some will require you to turn them over to the authorities while you are in the country. Some even require you to account for every round of ammunition.

As long as you stay within American waters, you are okay to carry firearms legally on a circumnavigation. It is up to you if you want to risk hiding one on your boat and if you are caught. Most countries require you to declare and have it checked and stored until you leave the country.

Can ships carry firearms?

The vast majority of carriers will not carry weapons on their ships. Either they don’t want to deal with workers’ compensation when security personnel are hurt, their insurance doesn’t allow it, or the endpoint countries prohibit armed crew members so they’d have to get off in international waters.

Back at the time of Somali pirates the armed PMC were present on the board of many of those ships while passing off the Somali. Yes, they usually were there only while in international waters. For a PMC in the current situation, to avoid loading/unloading, it may make sense to get an own ship and load Skynex or similar system on it and to just escort the client ship though the danger zone.

Even if you hire a PMC I doubt they can deal with anti-ship missiles or ballistic missiles. Attack is much easier than defense.

A subsonic missile like a typical anti-ship can easily be shot down by a regular MANPAD like Stinger. Automatic – just press a button – systems like Phalanx or Skynex are similarly very easy to operate. Ballistic missiles are the hardest target, so not every system can do it, yet the modern systems which are capable to shot down ballistics do it automatically.

What are the rules for sailing around the world?

An official nautical circumnavigation of Earth according to the World Sailing Speed Record Council includes the requirements that the vessel start from and finish at the same port, cross all meridians of longitude, cross the equator, and travel at least 21,600 nautical miles. Each leg must commence at the exact point where the previous finished off (this means legs cannot be completed out of order). There are no requirements to reach antipodal points.

Unlike a circumnavigation crossing both land and water, a nautical journey must acknowledge the borders of the ocean as boundaries that can’t be crossed. Because of this, when defining a nautical circumnavigation of the world, the globe cannot be regarded as a faceless sphere, but tangible borders must be addressed. The equator is in relation to these boundaries, therefore can be used as a valid reference point.

Land-Based (non-continuous) Circumnavigation of Earth.

Can you own a gun in Norway?

Gun laws in Norway incorporates the political and regulatory aspects of firearms usage in the country. Citizens are allowed to keep firearms (most commonly for hunting and/or sports shooting). The acquisition and storage of guns is regulated by the state.

Firearms in Norway are regulated by the Law on weapons, firearms, weapon parts and ammunition with additional regulations given in the Regulations on weapons, firearms, weapon parts and ammunition. Guns owned and operated by the armed forces and the police are exempt from the aforementioned law. The National Police Directorate can issue government circulars to further detail and define how the firearm laws and regulations should be interpreted by the police.

Norway has a large population of hunters and sports shooters. Semi-automatic and bolt-action rifles, as well as shotguns, pistols and revolvers make up the better part of the guns in civilian homes. Fully automatic firearms are prohibited for civilian ownership for the most part, that is unless they are a collector and member of the Norwegian historical weapons society who may be issued licenses for automatic firearms.

What is the most gun-friendly country in Europe?

One place that has “good” firearms controls is the Czech Republic,says Favaro. Here restrictions are relatively lenient compared to other European countries, with Czech citizens able to obtain a gun if they meet limited criteria and carry it in public.

The Czech Republic’s law “is very streamlined, allows people to carry firearms and focus on vetting who gets a license. Most gun laws focus on technical minutiae and miss the point entirely,” claimed the Italian from Milan.

‘Allow good people to defend themselves’. There are many reasons why some advocates want to see more guns in Europe.

Can I sail myself to Antarctica?

All Antarctica-bound yacht expeditions must be authorized by the operator’s own country or the vessel’s flag state. The authorization process is a good way to prepare for Antarctica, and heavy fines can result from non-authorized visits. If you are traveling on a charter yacht, ask to see your skipper’s Antarctic authorization. Note that requirements are different, depending on the national authority, and some countries may require you to submit your application several months before the intended date of your voyage.

Note: An Argentine or Chilean exit permit or zarpe by itself is not a suitable authorization to visit Antarctica.

Among IAATO yacht operators, there are specialized yachts available for charter as a whole or with individual berths, and other companies which provide consultancy services specializing in assisting private yacht visits to Antarctica. Find IAATO-registered yachts in our Vessel Directory.

Do you need a license to drive a boat around the world?

Technically speaking, for your own boat, you do not need a license to sail the world.

A couple of howevers are attached to the “technically speaking” phrase.

Port authorities worldwide are port authorities. They have lots of power because you can’t defend yourself. They can request that you prove competence to sail in their waters. Having a License will go towards that proof. Additionally, you’re more likely to have a port authority issue if there is an accident of some sort (perhaps even not your fault) and you can’t prove competence. On top of all that, you are not exempt anywhere from the laws of that country when in their country so if you are lacking in their government-required amount of fire extinguishers, for example, then without a license you are essentially proving that you don’t know what you’re doing (even if you do). Wisely speaking – you don’t want to get in trouble with a port authority.

In addition, more recently on Facebook groups, there is chatter about certain port authorities enforcing a license requirement on everyone. Some boat owners have been fined and asked to leave. We recommend that when traveling to various locations unfamiliar to you that you join a local sailing Facebook group. There you will get real-time live information.

Going through the proper procedure to gain a proper license like the NauticEd SLCor even the RYA Yacht Master program means you’re going to be properly prepared and documented as such. If you’re sailing across vast oceans you’re better off going up a Rank to the NauticEd Captain’s Rank which deals much more with offshore sailing. The old saying of “you don’t know what you don’t know” applies here.

Do sailors carry guns?

Yes, United States Sailor’s will qualify on a verity of small-arms. A sailor assigned to a ship is responsible for the defense of it as many ships do not have a marine detachment. That means sailors will be assigned to force protection positions often carrying rifles, pistols and plate carriers/body​ armor.

A ship is a home, national security asset, and weapons platform all in one. Taking security seriously is highly important even in career fields that outsiders may not view part of the security alert teams.

The pictures and types of firearms listed below are common systems aboard US Navy ships. You should expect to be trained on these and other weapon systems during your shipboard tour.

Do you need a passport to sail around the world?

You can sail around the globe and across every ocean without actually entering a country. But part of the adventure of sailing is to explore other countries and cultures. So how do you enter a country by boat? Here’s where things can get complicated.

Planning our passage and entry into Australia. Notes on the requirements for entry are on the right-hand side of the photo. Photo: Kate Collins.

Entering a country by boat in some ways is like entering by aircraft. You still require the appropriate visas and a passport and must go through an immigration process and perhaps bio-security. Unlike flying, however, the process of entering and leaving a port is not handled by the airline. The skipper herself must complete it.

Can you take a boat internationally?

It is important to be aware that regulations may “kick-in” before you even enter Territorial Waters. Some countries require you to notify your intentions to the authorities by VHF before you proceed to a designated port of entry. You may need to have arranged a visa in advance and you may have to buy a permit for the boat. An inventory of the items onboard may be needed, as may a crew list. It may be necessary to present the passports and ships papers in every port you visit, just at the ports of entry and departure or only if requested.

Even in countries where yacht tourism is commonplace, the rules for yachts can be difficult to establish. For the less frequented countries, someone who has been there before can be an invaluable source of information and may be able to offer contacts within the country to help with customs and immigration procedures, either informally with translating or as a formal agent, which can be required.

Knowledge. There are numerous cruising forums and websites which offer information and can be used to make contact with other cruisers, to allow you to build a picture of what may be expected before your arrival. Some of these are detailed under “Related Links”. If you find other ones to be particularly useful, please email us so we can spread the word.