I have broken this post into 3 segments: Our boating experiences are different than most on this list. I cannot address specifics during this "Century"--but I can in the 1960 thru 1996 time span. During this time we have lived aboard over 13 years, visited over 40 countries, and specifically cruised over 100,000 miles. There is over another 100,000 mlles of offshore sailboat racing. These are some of our experiences and lessons. Prevention: Situational awareness is key. You need to both check out your surroundings, potential issues, escape routes, and dangers. This is not just boating on the loop. Marie and I have developed this over the years, and we are both on the same wave length. We can give each other a glance or a hand squeeze and our defensive plan goes into effect if there is a threat. I have to preface this by saying that I have been involved in competitive marksmanship since high school. Marie has done a lot of hunting. We both train regularly, not only with weapons, but also tactics, evasion and direct physical confrontation with a Navy Seal trainer. We also spend considerable time on the gun range. I have carried concealed weapons with a permit for over 50 years--mostly because of dangers in the areas I had to go into in the middle of the night when I was in practice. Making the boat safer: Alarms--a trip alarm with monofiliment line, plastic wedge, a roller microswitch, relay, dry cell battery and siren can be built for about $75 and used anywhere on the boat. An intruder pulls on the light monofiliment, which pulls the wedge out from the micro switch, closes the relay and this sets off the 120 DB siren. Pressure sensor, and simple magnetic normally open switch, (where when A door or window is opened, the circuit is completed) can also make a simple alarm system--see above for the relay and siren. Motion detectors--in some areas good, but others there can be false alarms. Lock the doors, with dead or barrel bolts on the inside. Be sure that lock cannot be easily defeated or the door casement broken. Put in SS grids on the inside of the opening hatches. Be sure you have an emergency release mechanism which will allow you to escape if there is a fire/flooding etc. Have a dead bolt on your stateroom. Electric fence. You have to have bare lifelines to make the electric shock alternative effective--but you can run the wire bare wire around the boat where an attacker might try and board and grab the wire. The electric fences are cheap at farm stores. It is said that John Wayne electrified with 220V the railings of his Boston Whaler tenders on Wild Goose. that stopped the thieves in Acapulco. Weapons--we do cruise with guns--I will not give specifics, but they are so well hidden that they have never been found during extensive searches. In some countries where there was a threat, we did declare them, and openly carry, with the military's or police permission. Machete: universal big knife--and its power is well understood by even the least educated in the 3rd world. We keep one right inside of the companionway. Also allows cutting lines, cutting kelp etc. Sure beats a pocket or sheath knife! Light--both the 5 cell Mag light--can be a weapon, and the biggest, brightest hand held spot light you can find. Today there are some great LED lights. Bear Spray. I might point out that In the US, capsaicin and other related capsaicinoids (2%) are required on the label.In Canada, only Capsaicin (1%) is allowed on the label. You can purchase Bear Spray which is approved by Canadian Authorities, and we have carried it back and forth over the border any number of times. Caution--more than 1% may be lethal to humans! So if you are going to spray a human, be sure what you are doing...like any other "weapon" judgement must be used! The small "lipstick" size mace are not going to do much to stop a drug crazed attacker or a true criminal intent on doing you harm.