International Sailing: So Many Questions.

Question

Okay, I've many questions about sailing internationally, too many for one post, so I'll divide them into 3 questions each post, and will not post until each question is resolved. Deal?

1. Search and Seizure in foreign and domestic waters. What are the policies concerning police boarding and searching maritime recreation vessels?

2. What does a ship's electrical sources operate off of? If a battery, is it similar to a car? What about the water operations, such as sinks and showers? Do ship's have 120v outlets?

3. Which engine type is more fuel conservative? Petrol or Diesel?

Thank you in advance for all your help, and I look forward to hearing from the one who knows the most about these things.

Answer 1

I'm pretty sure there a lots of people on this board who know these things.

1 - When in foreign waters you are subject to that country's laws, whatever they may be.

2 - 12VDC, like in a car, is the main source of power. Most cruising vessels will have a generator for producing 120VAC for various purposes, including recharging the 12V batteries. The batteries are also recharged by solar panels, wind generators or combinations of both.

3 - Diesel is what is mainly found on cruising vessels because it is safer than gasoline, usually more readily available, and until late, cheaper.

Answer 2

Every country has it's own Customs laws, and you will be subject to all of them, for every country you tie up at. The three biggest issues right now are 1) guns (don't have them, period), 2) anything on your hard-drive that any country might consider illegal (you'd be amazed), and 3) misdemeanor convictions or citations in your home country which happen to be felonies in other countries. A big one for US citizens traveling abroad is DUIs.

120v battery banks, charged by your generator. And yes, potable water is going to be at a premium.

Diesel is more efficient and much, much safer than gasoline. But your most fuel efficient propulsion for ocean cruising is WIND.  

Answer 3

I have been boarded in other countrys that the USA> Not a pretty picture> Don't have anything you didn't claim in the previes country > As they look in every crack> 4 hrs> > And they finally left> And so did we>

Power source>120 volts 12Volt> Are most common>

But 32V older boats>

Diesel in most boats> Gas in smaller boats>

Answer 4

Are you asking about BOATS or SHIPS?  There are different answers depending on what you are asking about.

The AUTHORITIES in ANY country can board any ship or boat within their waters AT THEIR DISCRETION.  In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard can board ANY U.S. Flag vessel ANY WHERE IN THE WORLD, including on the HIGH SEAS.

Power boats and ships have GENERATORS... that provide whatever electric power required... 110VAC, 110VDC, 220VAC etc as well as 12 VDC or 24VDC or 48VDC as necessary.

Diesel is the power of choice because it gives more bang for the buck and diesel fuel is more readily available in many parts of the world

Answer 5

Search and seizure is at the mercy of the local governments.  be aware of contraband of local governments before arriving in their waters.

Ships operate with 60 hertz 120 volt power.  smaller craft, such as pleasure sail boats and cruising boats generally operate with 12 volt DC power, with more than 1 battery,  if the vessel is large enough, they will probably have an inverter hooked into the DC power than will change it to 60 hertz 120 volt AC, which can power most common electrical appliances such as a blender, hair clippers, microwave, etc.  if it is a larger cruiser, it may have an AC generator aboard that will power your needs directly.

Generally, you will find that the diesel engine will be more efficient, safer, and readily available.

There are also wind turbine generators and solar panels aboard most cruising boats to keep their batteries charged.

Answer 6

1. Countries are sovereign and have their own policies and procedures. They can search you according to THEIR laws.

2. Most large sailboats have auxiliary engines to generate 110v and 24volt power. They also have batteries for storage power. Pressurized water systems are on some boats for showers and sinks, even  dishwashers.

3. Diesel, by far, is more economical, and much safer and more reliable.

Regards,

Dan

PS In your next post you might give some indication of the size of boat you are interested in and where you intend on going. This will help us give you better, more appropriate answers.