Apparently there’s a policy letter floating around out there somewhere that says U.S. vessels on domestic voyages are permitted to carry firearms for defensive purposes. Considering the industry’s stance on firearms at sea (there aren’t any, or at least there are very, very few) this is somewhat of a revelation. I’ve heard the numbers 9-03 associated with this policy letter but I’ve never been able to find the actual document, or any USCG policy letter associated with firearms, but maybe I’m just not looking in the right places. Does anyone know if such a judgement, that domestic vessels on domestic voyages may carry guns, exists? Also, from a more practical standpoint, has anyone ever encountered this in the industry? I know some of the academy training ships carry shotguns for skeet shooting but that’s not what I’m talking about.
OH DEAR NO! Delete this before that uberloony of loonies Don Hamrick returns…
any normal domestic company will prohibit weapons in all circumstances regardless of what the CG says
[QUOTE=c.captain;145688]OH DEAR NO! Delete this before that uberloony of loonies Don Hamrick returns…[/QUOTE] I just read the thread that you posted the link to… WOW. He hasn’t logged in for awhile. Hopefully, he is locked up in a nuthouse somewhere getting the help he clearly needs…
[QUOTE=RespectMyAuthority;145695]I just read the thread that you posted the link to… WOW. He hasn’t logged in for awhile. Hopefully, he is locked up in a nuthouse somewhere getting the help he clearly needs…[/QUOTE]
Where ever he is these days, let’s pray he does not have access to any firearms!
[QUOTE=z-drive;145689]any normal domestic company will prohibit weapons in all circumstances regardless of what the CG says[/QUOTE]
Well yeah, of course, for insurance reasons if nothing else, but still, I would find it curious if the USCG actually issued a decree saying that they were OK with it, which is what I was trying to find out.
[QUOTE=RespectMyAuthority;145695]I just read the thread that you posted the link to… WOW. He hasn’t logged in for awhile. Hopefully, he is locked up in a nuthouse somewhere getting the help he clearly needs…[/QUOTE]
His web site has been dormant for several years: http://americancommondefencereview.wordpress.com/
[QUOTE=PaddyWest2012;145686]Apparently there’s a policy letter floating around out there somewhere that says U.S. vessels on domestic voyages are permitted to carry firearms for defensive purposes. Considering the industry’s stance on firearms at sea (there aren’t any, or at least there are very, very few) this is somewhat of a revelation. I’ve heard the numbers 9-03 associated with this policy letter but I’ve never been able to find the actual document, or any USCG policy letter associated with firearms, but maybe I’m just not looking in the right places. Does anyone know if such a judgement, that domestic vessels on domestic voyages may carry guns, exists? Also, from a more practical standpoint, has anyone ever encountered this in the industry? I know some of the academy training ships carry shotguns for skeet shooting but that’s not what I’m talking about.[/QUOTE]
Port Security Advisory (3-09) Guidance on Self-Defense or Defense of others by U.S. Flagged Commercial Vessels Operating in High Risk Waters - U.S. Coast Guard (18 June, 2009)
Don’t know any with regards to domestic vessels. The one thing that comes to mind is that security equipment belonging to the vessel has to listed on the inventory section of the U.S. Coast Guard approved Vessel Security Plan. (VSP).
Coming from foreign weapons are declared on the Customs Form (CBP 1303) but no where else, in the case of domestic that wouldn’t apply. Also sailing foreign you have to have permission (form DSP-73) to export weapons but that doesn’t apply either in the case of domestic.
[QUOTE=Kennebec Captain;145705]Port Security Advisory (3-09) Guidance on Self-Defense or Defense of others by U.S. Flagged Commercial Vessels Operating in High Risk Waters - U.S. Coast Guard (18 June, 2009)
Don’t know any with regards to domestic vessels. The one thing that comes to mind is that security equipment belonging to the vessel has to listed on the inventory section of the U.S. Coast Guard approved Vessel Security Plan. (VSP).
Coming from foreign weapons are declared on the Customs Form (CBP 1303) but no where else, in the case of domestic that wouldn’t apply. Also sailing foreign you have to have permission (form DSP-73) to export weapons but that doesn’t apply either in the case of domestic.[/QUOTE]
Maybe I was looking up 9-03 instead of 3-09 and that’s what I couldn’t find anything. Woops. Thanks Kennebec.
I looked it up, here is a link to the document.
Just a few years ago there was a lawsuit brought by the widow of a rig hand who was killed by a coworker when he was showing his piece off in the change room on the rig during tower change… That’s why probably greater than 99% of companies prohibit bringing firearms on board. Why would anyone feel the need to strap up when they go to work? GOM aint Somalia. I’ve never felt the need to stand my ground on the OCS. Now in west Africa, there were times I would have liked to show a little force, but the local flag states sure don’t want any white foreigner with firearms.
All this hard work on these OSV’s. Sure wouldn’t mind some back deck skeet shooting or maybe put blind on the ole FRC and have some fun after watch is over. I’d get my Louisiana hunting license for that kind of action. Less government and more fun.
A captain for McAllister had guns on the boat & they went to Trinidad & he didn’t declare them. They threw his ass in jail for a bit. It cost Mac some $$$.
I think if captains toted guns again their wouldn’t be any more drama issues onboard.
With one or two of the guys I have worked for there would be more…
Besides insurance issues, think about how many different jurisdictions a coast wise trip would go through. With no Federal licensing structure in place you’d have to meet the local standards. That would be a huge pain up here in the North East.
[QUOTE=OBXmariner;145749]All this hard work on these OSV’s. Sure wouldn’t mind some back deck skeet shooting[/QUOTE]
I’ve seen this on 3 vessels back in the '70s.
[QUOTE=Tugboater203;145761]Besides insurance issues, think about how many different jurisdictions a coast wise trip would go through. With no Federal licensing structure in place you’d have to meet the local standards. That would be a huge pain up here in the North East.[/QUOTE]
I can’t say for certain but if any weapons aboard a U.S. flag vessel were under the master’s control (in a locked, secure gun safe for example) I’d be surprised if it would be an issue with any state laws.
There are many ways you can get cross-threaded in foreign ports but I’ve never heard of weapons on board being an issue on a U.S. ship in U.S. waters. Obviously the master has to comply with company policy.
I don’t get this thread…guns have never been prohibited on US flagged vessels. I’ve had a gun locker aboard ships I’ve commanded. There is no USC statute or CFR reg proscribing the carrying of weapons on a ship just like there is no prohibition against alcohol being on a ship. It is legal as long as crewmembers don’t have a bloodalcohol above .08% at anytime or no drink takes place less than 4 hours before assuming any watch.
Now bringing weapons into foreign ports is purely based on the port state and you do so at your peril if they are prohibited.
I open carry all the time…keeps the rabble in line!
[QUOTE=c.captain;145776]I don’t get this thread…guns have never been prohibited on US flagged vessels. I’ve had a gun locker aboard ships I’ve commanded. There is no USC statute or CFR reg proscribing the carrying of weapons on a ship just like there is no prohibition against alcohol being on a ship. It is legal as long as crewmembers don’t have a bloodalcohol above .08% at anytime or no drink takes place less than 4 hours before assuming any watch.
Now bringing weapons into foreign ports is purely based on the port state and you do so at your peril if they are prohibited.
I open carry all the time…keeps the rabble in line![/QUOTE]
I guess the only technical prohibition is company policy vis-a-vis insurance reasons
Company policy, lawyers, insurance always seem to steal the wind from the fun.